oat

American  

[oht] / oʊt /

noun

1. a cereal grass, Avena sativa, cultivated for its edible seed.

2. (used with a singular or plural verb) Usually oats. the seed of this plant, used as a food for humans and animals.

3. any of several plants of the same genus, as the wild oat.

4. Archaic. a musical pipe made of an oat straw.

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idioms

1. sow one's wild oats. wild oat.

2. feel one's oats,

   1. to feel frisky or lively.

   2. to be aware of and use one's importance or power.

oat British  

/ əʊt /

noun

1. an erect annual grass, Avena sativa, grown in temperate regions for its edible seed

2. (usually plural) the seeds or fruits of this grass

3. any of various other grasses of the genus Avena, such as the wild oat

4. poetic a flute made from an oat straw

5. informal

   1. to feel exuberant

   2. to feel self-important

6. slang to have sexual intercourse

7. to indulge in adventure or promiscuity during youth

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Other Word Forms

• oatlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of oat

before 900; Middle English ote, Old English āte

Example Sentences

Follow up assessments took place immediately after the two day oat phase and again at two, four, and six weeks.

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

Vegans and vegetarians have popularized plant-based milk alternatives — almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, cashew, hemp, coconut; if it grows, it may have a milk version.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

For an indulgent breakfast option, she suggests making a tiramisu chia seed pudding with freshly-brewed espresso, oat milk, chia seeds, granola crumbles and a cacao dusting.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2026

Drinks made with plant-based milk, such as soya, oat and almond will be treated in a similar way to milk-drinks from 2028.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2025

Joyce'Ann! was worse* She got a devilish delight oat of sitting smack down on his rump when he was stretched out working.

From "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson