Oscar

¹

[os-ker]

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.

Oscar

²

[os-ker]

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.

Oscar

³

[os-ker]

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.

oscar

¹

/ ˈɒskə /

noun

1. slang,  cash; money

Oscar

²

/ 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

Oscar

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Oscar¹

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 Oscar²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Oscar¹

C20: rhyming slang, from Oscar Asche (1871–1936), Australian actor

Origin of Oscar²

C20: sense 1 said to have been named after a remark made by an official on first seeing the statuette, that it reminded her of her uncle Oscar

Example Sentences

Lawrence scored her first Oscar nomination for “Winter’s Bone” at 20 years old, pre-“Hunger Games.”

Read more on Salon

Yet somehow, he’s never received an Oscar nomination.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Reinsve’s skyrocketing career is Trier’s most successful wager and he gives her enough crying scenes to earn an Oscar nomination.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

British actor Pauline Collins, who earned an Oscar nomination for her turn as the stuck-in-a-rut housewife of “Shirley Valentine,” has died.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Oscar Piastri responded to his doubters on Thursday by emphatically claiming that he remains confident he can recover form and win the drivers' world championship this year.

Read more on Barron's

When To Use

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.