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noun

oat

OHT

Oat (noun) means a cereal grass grown for its edible grain. Example: “Farmers planted oat in the north field this year.”

noun
1
A cereal grass grown for its edible grain.
"Farmers planted oat in the north field this year."
2
The grain of this plant, used as food or animal feed (usually plural: oats).
"She sprinkled oat flakes over her yoghurt."

How to use oat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA grain crop, or the grain itself, commonly eaten as porridge or used in baking.

Common pairings
oat milk oat flour rolled oats

Word forms

oats plural

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Test yourself on “oat” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Farmers planted _____ in the north field this year.

Etymology

From Old English ate, tracing back through Proto-Germanic to a root meaning "to swell" — likely referring to the swelling grain.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for oat

See all rhymes for oat →

Frequently asked questions

What does “oat” mean?

The word “oat” means a cereal grass grown for its edible grain. In plain terms, a grain crop, or the grain itself, commonly eaten as porridge or used in baking.

How do you pronounce “oat”?

“Oat” is pronounced OHT (/ˈoʊ̯t/ in IPA).

How do you use “oat” in a sentence?

Here is “oat” used in a sentence: “Farmers planted oat in the north field this year.”

What part of speech is “oat”?

“Oat” is a noun.

Where does the word “oat” come from?

The word “oat” comes from Old English. From Old English ate, tracing back through Proto-Germanic to a root meaning "to swell" — likely referring to the swelling grain.

How many meanings does “oat” have?

“Oat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cereal grass grown for its edible grain.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial