1
: an oval figure or object
2
: a racetrack in the shape of an oval or a rectangle having rounded corners
: having the shape of an egg
also
: broadly elliptical
Synonyms
Examples of oval in a Sentence
Noun
The racetrack is an oval.
Adjective
the Oval Office in the White House
Recent Examples on the Web
Donald C. Johanson, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
A couple of weeks after the convention, at a rally outside Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a crowd presses at the edges of a makeshift stage set within a hot oval of bleachers and mowed grass.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024
Benjamin C Tankersley, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2023
This simple opener works well on circular cans but may not be effective on dented, square, or oval cans.
—Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for oval 
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Noun
Her first lower premolar was oval in shape and had a single cusp, like an ape’s.
—Donald C. Johanson, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
A couple of weeks after the convention, at a rally outside Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a crowd presses at the edges of a makeshift stage set within a hot oval of bleachers and mowed grass.
—Nathan Heller, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The Kohler Sunstruck oval tub is standard in the primary bathroom if this layout is chosen.
—Benjamin C Tankersley, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2023
This simple opener works well on circular cans but may not be effective on dented, square, or oval cans.
—Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for oval
Dictionary Entries Near oval
Cite this Entry
“Oval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oval. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oval
1 of 2 noun
: an oval figure or object
oval
2 of 2 adjective
: having the shape or outline of an egg
Etymology
Adjective
from Latin ovalis (adjective) "having the shape of an egg," derived from earlier ovum "egg"
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