oval

noun \ ˈō-vəl \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of oval

1 : an oval figure or object

2 : a racetrack in the shape of an oval or a rectangle having rounded corners

See oval defined for English-language learners

See oval defined for kids

Examples of oval in a Sentence

The racetrack is an oval.

Recent Examples of oval from the Web

The potato ovals are then baked until golden brown and can be served as a side dish or appetizer.

— susan selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Food documentary 'Soufra' comes with a cookbook," 8 Apr. 2018
Clark never raced in Phoenix but did test his Lotus at the oval before heading to Indy in 1965.

— michael knight, azcentral, "IndyCar pushes back against self-driving car races," 7 Apr. 2018
Here is the open wheel slate for this weekend (all times Eastern): VERIZON INDYCAR PHOENIX GRAND PRIX Site: Phoenix Schedule: Saturday, race, 9:35 p.m., NBCSN Track: ISM Raceway (oval, 1.022 miles).

— elton alexander, cleveland.com, "IndyCar 2018: Live scoring, TV, live streaming, updates for Saturday's Phoenix Grand Prix," 7 Apr. 2018
Here are four stats to remind you just how absurdly dominant Johnson is at this 1.5-mile oval in a sport where experience is key. 1.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "4 stats proving why Jimmie Johnson will be tough to beat at Texas," 5 Apr. 2018
For minimalists, there are the sterling Gila earrings ($265), misshapen oval hoops based on pieces from the Byzantine empire.

— liana satenstein, Vogue, "This Beyoncé-Approved Designer Is Making Ancient Jewelry Modern," 2 Apr. 2018
The egg expedition will start at 1 p.m., inviting kids to fill up their baskets with loads of the colorful ovals, along with chocolate treats to take home.

— grace dickinson, Philly.com, "Where to celebrate Easter with the family in Philadelphia this year," 22 Mar. 2018
Here are details on unique ways to pursue fun and zany prizes encased in those brightly colored plastic ovals.

— melissa reinert, Cincinnati.com, "Ready, set, hop: Top Easter egg hunts," 15 Mar. 2018
Instead of your standard rectangle, the newest styles come in ovals, squares, and even a pentagon.

— lindsay peoples wagner, The Cut, "All You Need Is One Thing to Update Your Closet," 7 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oval.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of oval

1570

oval

adjective

Definition of oval

: having the shape of an egg; also : broadly elliptical

—

ovality

play \ō-ˈva-lə-tē\ noun

—

ovally

play \ˈō-və-lē\ adverb

—

ovalness

noun

See oval defined for English-language learners

Examples of oval in a Sentence

the Oval Office in the White House

Recent Examples of oval from the Web

Thursday’s top story is about the return of an oval specialist to the Indy 500 field.

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "There will be bumping as Dreyer & Reinbold add Hildebrand, raises Indy 500 car count to 34," 12 Apr. 2018
The master bathroom was renovated with a large oval tub that is framed by teak wood steps.

— taylor m. riley, The Courier-Journal, "Don’t let this Louisville farmhouse fool you. Inside it’s a nautical getaway," 12 Apr. 2018
Forget the needle-in-a-haystack cliché: Finding a human bone in the Nefud Desert—a windswept oval patch of sand dunes the size of Kentucky—is perhaps the world’s most impressive example of an unlikely find.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "Rare 85,000-year-old Finger May Complicate Our Understanding of African Migration," 10 Apr. 2018
Passes were coming fast and furious late in the first oval race of the season.

— jim ayello, USA TODAY Sports, "Josef Newgarden capitalizes on late restart to win IndyCar race at Phoenix," 8 Apr. 2018
Today, the fish usually is deboned, chopped and/or ground and mixed with matzo meal, onion, eggs and seasonings, then shaped into oval balls that are poached in fish stock before being eaten at room temperature or cold from the fridge.

— kimberly winston and yonat shimron, Houston Chronicle, "Why do Jews eat gefilte fish at the Passover Seder?," 1 Apr. 2018
Of the many varieties available, look for the dark, pebbly textured Hass; smooth, green Fuertes; spotted, creamy Pinkertons; smooth, oval Bacons; and the mild-flavored, shiny, yellow-green Zutano avocados.

— noelle carter, latimes.com, "Toast, guacamole and more great ideas for avocados, now in season," 16 Mar. 2018
The commissioners sat at an oval table with Kitzhaber and his attorneys at one end and commission Chairwoman Alison Kean on the other.

— andrew selsky, The Seattle Times, "Ethics panel finds former Oregon Gov. Kitzhaber guilty of 10 violations," 16 Feb. 2018
The oval object in front is a Japanese lingam from the 19th century.

— thomas gebremedhin, WSJ, "Axel Vervoordt’s Favorite Things," 27 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of oval

Medieval Latin ovalis, from Late Latin, of an egg, from Latin ovum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1561

See Words from the same year

oval Synonyms

Synonyms

elliptical (or elliptic), ovate, ovoid (also ovoidal);

OVAL Defined for English Language Learners

oval

noun

Definition of oval for English Language Learners

: something that has the shape of an egg

oval

adjective

Definition of oval for English Language Learners

: having the shape of an egg : shaped like a circle that is longer than it is wide

OVAL Defined for Kids

oval

noun \ ˈō-vəl \

Definition of oval for Students

: something having the shape of an egg or ellipse

The racetrack is an oval.

oval

adjective

Definition of oval for Students

: having the shape of an egg or ellipse : elliptical

Learn More about oval

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for oval Spanish Central: Translation of oval Nglish: Translation of oval for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of oval for Arabic speakers

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oval

Definition of oval

Examples of oval in a Sentence

Recent Examples of oval from the Web

First Known Use of oval

oval

Definition of oval

ovality

ovally

ovalness

Examples of oval in a Sentence

Recent Examples of oval from the Web

Origin and Etymology of oval

oval Synonyms

Synonyms

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OVAL Defined for English Language Learners

oval

Definition of oval for English Language Learners

oval

Definition of oval for English Language Learners

OVAL Defined for Kids

oval

Definition of oval for Students

oval

Definition of oval for Students

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