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. 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 Official nameAcademy Award
   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

Neville previously won an Oscar for 20 Feet From Stardom - a documentary about the forgotten lives of backing singers who feature on some of rock's biggest songs.

From BBC

“I’m here to complain about the teacher that had the vulgar political language,” said Oscar Avila.

From Los Angeles Times

Joshua Oppenheimer, an Oscar nominee for his documentaries “The Act of Killing” and “The Look of Silence,” made the unusual choice to make his narrative feature debut an original musical.

From Los Angeles Times

“Gladiator II,” the enjoyably dumb sequel to the brawny Ridley Scott epic that won the best picture Oscar nearly a quarter-century ago, has just finished its premiere screening on the Paramount Pictures lot.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the first Oscar ceremony where more than one Black performer was vying for the lead actor trophy.

From Los Angeles Times