oasis

[ oh-ey-sis ]
/ oʊˈeɪ sɪs /

noun, plural o·a·ses [oh-ey-seez] /oʊˈeɪ siz/.

a small fertile or green area in a desert region, usually having a spring or well.
something serving as a refuge, relief, or pleasant change from what is usual, annoying, difficult, etc.: The library was an oasis of calm in the hectic city.

Origin of oasis

1605–15; < Late Latin < Greek óasis (Herodotus) < Egyptian wḥʾt oasis, oasis region

OTHER WORDS FROM oasis

o·a·sit·ic [oh-uh-sit-ik] /ˌoʊ əˈsɪt ɪk/, o·a·sal, o·a·se·an [oh-ey-see-uhn] /oʊˈeɪ si ən/, adjective

Words nearby oasis

Example sentences from the Web for oasis

British Dictionary definitions for oasis (1 of 2)

oasis
/ (əʊˈeɪsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

a fertile patch in a desert occurring where the water table approaches or reaches the ground surface
a place of peace, safety, or happiness in the midst of trouble or difficulty

Word Origin for oasis

C17: via Latin from Greek, probably of Egyptian origin

British Dictionary definitions for oasis (2 of 2)

Oasis
/ (əʊˈeɪsɪs) /

noun

trademark a block of light porous material, used as a base for flower arrangements

Scientific definitions for oasis

oasis
[ ō-āsĭs ]

Plural oases (ō-āsēz)

A small area in a desert that has a supply of water and is able to support vegetation. An oasis forms when groundwater lies close enough to the surface to form a spring or to be reached by wells.