oasis

American  

[oh-ey-sis] / oʊˈeɪ sɪs /

noun

plural

oases

1. a small fertile or green area in a desert region, usually having a spring or well.

2. 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.

   Synonyms:

   shelter, retreat, harbor, haven

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oasis ¹ British  

/ əʊˈeɪsɪs /

noun

1. a fertile patch in a desert occurring where the water table approaches or reaches the ground surface

2. a place of peace, safety, or happiness in the midst of trouble or difficulty

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Oasis ² British  

/ əʊˈeɪsɪs /

noun

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

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oasis Scientific  

/ ō-ā′sĭs /

plural

oases

1. 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.

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Usage

Plural word for oasis The plural form of oasis is oases, pronounced [ oh-ey-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -is are also formed in this way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, crisis/crises, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices. Irregular plurals that are formed like oases derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek.

Other Word Forms

• oasal adjective
• oasean adjective
• oasitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of oasis

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin, from Greek óasis, from Egyptian wḥʾt “oasis region”

Example Sentences

They have also challenged the country’s fundamental selling point—that it is an oasis of peace in a rough neighborhood.

From The Wall Street Journal

Or like a summer oasis tucked into space and time.

From Literature

With the city's greatest appeal having always been its image as a stable oasis in a turbulent region, is this brand now forever threatened?

From BBC

The fighting has hurt their oil sales and is threatening hard-won reputations as oases of calm that are safe for foreign investment.

From The Wall Street Journal

These included higher elevation areas with more moisture and vegetation, highly saline zones exposed to intense UV radiation, and fog-fed oases where plant life flourishes against the odds.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• haven
• sanctuary