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

Those looking to transform their bedroom into a cozy, fall-ready oasis, can grab bed sheets, cozy blankets, and other bedding essentials for a fraction of the price. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025

For an additional price, select layouts that will fit a total of three to five bedrooms, choose door or window styles, and swap interior and exterior colors to create your dream tiny oasis. —Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 23 Nov. 2025

Truth is, this structure can transform a simplistic space into a true oasis. —Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2025

Kathy Wang’s The Satisfaction Cafe, and Robert Seethaler’s The Cafe With No Name, translated from the German by Katy Derbyshire, each center scrappy protagonists who wind up making oases despite unlucky lots. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 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