oasis

noun

oa·​sis ō-ˈā-səs How to pronounce oasis (audio)
plural oases ō-ˈā-ˌsēz How to pronounce oasis (audio)
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 On my return, the hotel beckoned like a private urban oasis, with friendly valets in olive-green uniforms welcoming me back by name. Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2024 Anse Lazio – Praslin Island, Seychelles Tucked into a bay on Praslin Island, Anse Lazio feels like a hidden oasis. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024 Travel & Experiences SoCal’s forgotten hot springs oasis is finally reopening — with 50 geothermal pools Jan. 17, 2024 In March 2020, the Hot Springs Angels notified Forest Service staff that some of the tubs had sustained damage. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 An oasis of greenery surrounds the duplicitous Emperor (Christopher Walken) and his daughter, Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), but the change of scenery is all but undone by the characters’ colorless solemnity. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2024 By contrast, neutral Switzerland seems like an oasis of peace. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Feb. 2024 Its location is Dune Allen Beach, an oasis of fishing and hiking as well as great seafood eateries. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 From Joshua Tree nearby to a generous array of spa resorts, like The Colony Palms Hotel, Palm Springs, serves as the perfect desert oasis and retreat. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Mar. 2024 The Peninsula Tokyo The Peninsula Tokyo is an urban oasis in a 24-floor tower overlooking the Imperial Gardens. Helen Schulman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oasis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of oasis was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near oasis

Cite this Entry

“Oasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oasis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

oasis

noun
oa·​sis ō-ˈā-səs How to pronounce oasis (audio)
plural oases -ˈā-ˌsēz How to pronounce oasis (audio)
1
: a fertile or green spot in a desert
2
: something or some place that provides refreshing relief
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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