Oval Office

American  

noun

1. the office of the president of the United States, located in the White House.

2. this office regarded as the seat of executive power in the U.S. federal government.

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Oval Office British  

noun

1. the private office of the president of the US, a large oval room in the White House

2. the US presidency

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Oval Office Cultural  

1. An oval-shaped room in the White House that serves as the official office of the president of the United States. Since the presidency of Richard Nixon, the term has been used to refer to the president himself: “The order came directly from the Oval Office.”

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Etymology

Origin of Oval Office

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65; so called from the shape of the room

Example Sentences

But two exhibits are bound to draw huge interest: One is a full-size reproduction of the Obama Oval Office where visitors can take selfies while seated behind an imitation Resolute Desk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

In a dramatic touch, some of the top fighters taking part in Sunday's event are reportedly set to emerge from the Oval Office itself before marching out to the historic South Lawn.

From Barron's • Jun. 14, 2026

When asked about inflation in the Oval Office on Wednesday, President Trump told reporters the numbers looked great.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

"We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran," he told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

After they left the Oval Office, Strauss paraded the scientists before the White House press corps.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik