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

Buckhead is far from a tranquil neighborhood, so this little oasis is a welcome surprise. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Construction spans multiple floors, and the pool and patio, once a beachside oasis, have been reduced to a concrete platform. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Boldface names were offered tours of the oasis of AlUla and its vast sandstone canyons. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

That oasis is Suisun Valley, only eight miles long by three miles wide. — Nicole Findlay, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2026

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
• periphrasis
• atelectasis
• bronchiectasis

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