Definition of oat
1a : any of several grasses (genus Avena); especially : a widely cultivated cereal grass (A. sativa)b : a crop or plot of the oat; also : the seed of an oat —usually used in pl. but singular or plural in construction
2 archaic : a reed instrument made of an oat straw
feel one's oats
: to act in a newly self-confident and often self-important manner
Explore M-W
Recent Examples of oat from the Web
-
If the seedlings are oat or wheat, just pull them up or cut them off.
-
The runaway horse was feeling her oats, calmly walking along Ninth Avenue before breaking into a run on 54th street.
-
This veggie burger is packed with good stuff, including oats, beans, squash, quinoa, and corn—and that’s just for starters.
-
Her banana bread is made with a mixture of three alt-flours (oat, almond and brown rice) as well as chia seeds in order to take advantage of their moisture-lending properties.
-
As the seconds tick away, runners in gold jackets sprint to deliver orders to hundreds of traders crammed into the corn, oat, and wheat pits.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oat'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of oat
Origin and Etymology of oat
Middle English ote, from Old English āte
First Known Use: before 12th century
OAT Defined for English Language Learners
oat
playDefinition of oat for English Language Learners
-
: a kind of grain that is widely grown
-
oats : the seeds of the oat plant used as feed for farm animals and in foods (such as bread and oatmeal) for people
OAT Defined for Kids
oat
playDefinition of oat for Students
1 : a cereal grass grown for its loose clusters of seeds that are used for human food and animal feed
2 oats plural : a crop or the seeds of the oat
Learn More about oat
-
See words that rhyme with oat Spanish Central: Translation of oat Nglish: Translation of oat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of oat for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up oat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!