Oval Office

American  

noun

1. the office of the president of the United States, located in the White House.

2. this office regarded as the seat of executive power in the U.S. federal government.

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Oval Office British  

noun

1. the private office of the president of the US, a large oval room in the White House

2. the US presidency

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Oval Office Cultural  

1. An oval-shaped room in the White House that serves as the official office of the president of the United States. Since the presidency of Richard Nixon, the term has been used to refer to the president himself: “The order came directly from the Oval Office.”

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Etymology

Origin of Oval Office

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65; so called from the shape of the room

Example Sentences

He lobbied the president on his two visits to the UK last year and travelled to Washington to make the case in the Oval Office.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, President Trump welcomed the U.A.E.’s decision, saying, “I think ultimately it’s a good thing for getting the price of gas down, getting oil down, getting everything down.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Following the welcome ceremony, the king joined Trump in the Oval Office for a closed-door bilateral meeting.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Viewed from the Oval Office, the war may seem less costly than critics charge, and the likelihood of a favorable outcome may appear significantly greater than a horrified foreign-policy establishment can bring itself to believe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

It was reported around the world, and it was said at one point that President Bush had a copy of it installed on the wall of the Oval Office.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith