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

Its booth is an oasis of eye candy if you’re entranced by anything to do with plumbing fixtures. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2025

Dover Street Market, which sits on the border of the NoMad and Murray Hill neighborhoods, is a seven-floor retail oasis of hypebeast brands, exclusive collaborations and runway-level looks with prices that have commas. —Gerald Narciso, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Learn More About Tybee Island Captiva Island, Florida Renowned for its sugar white sand and excellent shelling, Captiva Island is an oasis where the best mode of transportation is via golf cart and the most useful itinerary is to beach, eat, sleep, and repeat. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2025

This desert oasis isn't just about relaxing — the emphasis is on growth, with wellness workshops, outdoor adventures, and mindfulness. —Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 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

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