Oscar

¹ American  

[os-ker] / ˈɒs kər /

noun

1. a word used in communications to represent the letter O.

2. a male given name: from Old English words meaning “god” and “spear.”

3. Military. the NATO name for a class of nuclear-powered submarines armed with cruise missiles, designed to attack aircraft carriers and escort ships: first produced for the Soviet Navy in the 1970s; in service with the Russian Navy since 1992.

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Oscar ² American  

[os-ker] / ˈɒs kər /

Trademark.

1. one of a group of statuettes awarded annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion-picture production and performance.

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Oscar ³ American  

[os-ker] / ˈɒs kər /

noun

1. one of a series of small communications satellites, launched into polar orbit as piggyback passengers on U.S. launch vehicles, for unrestricted use by radio amateurs.

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oscar ¹ British  

/ ˈɒskə /

noun

1. slang cash; money

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Oscar ² British  

/ ˈɒskə /

noun

1. 1. Official name: Academy Award.  any of several small gold statuettes awarded annually in the United States by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievements in films

   2. (sometimes not capital) an award made in recognition of outstanding endeavour in any of various other fields

      the TV Oscars

2. (without capital) any annual award for excellence

3. communications a code word for the letter o

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Oscar Cultural  

1. A small statue given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to winners of its annual awards. (See Academy Awards.)

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Usage

What are the Oscars? The Oscars is a popular name for the Academy Awards—an annual award ceremony hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to honor excellence in film. The award presented during the ceremony—a statuette in the form of a gold-plated figure—is called an Academy Award, but it is popularly known as an Oscar. (It’s officially called the Academy Award of Merit.)Although the term Oscars originated as an informal nickname, it’s the most common way of referring to both the awards and the ceremony, and is even used in an official capacity by the Academy itself. Winning an Oscar is often considered the most prestigious honor in the film industry, and the ceremony is often seen as the premiere awards show event, known for being attended by many top celebrities in the film and entertainment industry. Awards are presented in many different categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role, and Best Director.

Etymology

Origin of Oscar²

Allegedly named in 1931 by Margaret Herrick, librarian and later executive secretary at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, after her uncle

Origin of Oscar³

First recorded in 1980–85; o(rbiting) s(atellite) c(arrying) a(mateur) r(adio)

Example Sentences

He was nominated for his first Oscar at 59 in 1999 for Bill Condon’s “Gods and Monsters” and subsequently joined the X-Men franchise and Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” films.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars,” wrote Oscar Wilde.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Turner previously said she had "massive shoes to fill" when taking on the role, which has been filled by Oscar winners Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander in the past.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

When Sam Altman arrived in Los Angeles to attend Vanity Fair’s Oscar afterparty earlier this month, his company was just weeks away from being able to license its Sora video-generation tools to Hollywood studios.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Oscar says that Swan is a new station that broadcasts important bulletins by exiles who want to liberate the island.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez