oblast

[ob-last, -lahst, aw-bluhst]

noun

plural

oblasts ,

plural

oblasti .

1. (in Russia and the Soviet Union) an administrative division corresponding to an autonomous province.

2. region; province.

oblast

/ ˈɒblɑːst /

noun

1. an administrative division of the constituent republics of Russia

2. an administrative and territorial division in some republics of the former Soviet Union

Word History and Origins

Origin of oblast¹

1885–90; < Russian óblast', Old Russian oblastĭ, equivalent to ob- against, on + vlastĭ authority, power; volost

Word History and Origins

Origin of oblast¹

from Russian, from Old Slavonic, vlast government

Example Sentences

For Russia to gain all of Donetsk would cement its internationally unrecognised claim to the oblast as well as avoiding further heavy military losses.

From BBC

If it is asked to give up the remaining 30 per cent of Donetsk Oblast that Russia has yet to occupy then does that leave the path westwards to Kyiv dangerously under-defended?

From BBC

Imagery provided by Planet Labs from this morning shows the entirety of Belaya airbase in Irkutsk Oblast, nearly 3,000km from the Ukrainian border.

From BBC

Dramatic footage has emerged purportedly showing a drone attack at Belaya airbase in Irkutsk oblast, Siberia, thousands of miles from Ukraine.

From BBC

In 2023, for example, most casualties occurred between January and March, when Russian forces attempted to capture the cities of Vuhledar and Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast.

From BBC