oasis

noun

oa·​sis ō-ˈā-səs 

plural oases ō-ˈā-ˌsēz 

1

: a fertile or green area in an arid region (such as a desert)

The caravan stopped to rest at an oasis.

2

: something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast

The small park is a welcome oasis amid the city's many factories.

Examples of oasis in a Sentence

The small park is a welcome oasis amid the city's many factories.

Our brief trip to the beach was a much-needed oasis in a summer of hard work.

Recent Examples on the Web

Outside is an oasis designed for luxury and entertaining. —Tj MacIas, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025

Burgess and Gonzalez strove to source ingredients from around the state, from the pig farms in central Florida to the agricultural oasis of Homestead. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025

At Lewis Vaughn Botanical Garden, a tranquil 1.5-acre oasis in the heart of the historic downtown, visitors will find a pond with koi and many examples of Georgia Piedmont plants. —Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 May 2025

The 8,000-square-foot store and outdoor smoking oasis opened in 2022. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin Oasis, referring to the Great Oasis of Kharge in the Libyan Desert of Egypt, borrowed from Greek Óasis (Herodotus), borrowed from Egyptian wḥꜢ.t "fertile area in the desert"

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oasis

• basis
• glacis
• mesas
• stasis
• anabasis
• cholestasis
• haemostasis
• hemostasis
• hypostasis
• atelectasis
• bronchiectasis
• homeostasis

Kids Definition

oasis

noun

oa·​sis ō-ˈā-səs 

plural oases -ˈā-ˌsēz 

1

: a fertile or green spot in a desert

2

: something or some place that provides refreshing relief