Word
oblast
/ˈɑbɫæst/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a large region inside countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, with its own local government. You use it much like you use the word province.
n. a first-level administrative division in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and several other Slavic countries, comparable to a province or state.
Examples
“This oblast grows much of the country's wheat.”
“The governor of the northern oblast visits farms to discuss water supplies after a dry summer.”
“After the factory closures, the industrial oblast faced high unemployment while local leaders tried to attract new investment.”
Examples
simple
“This oblast grows much of the country's wheat.”
contextual
“The governor of the northern oblast visits farms to discuss water supplies after a dry summer.”
complex
“After the factory closures, the industrial oblast faced high unemployment while local leaders tried to attract new investment.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “oblast” in context.
Verb
01. annex oblast
“The government condemned attempts to annex the oblast illegally.”
verb + noun
02. control oblast
“Separatist forces now control the oblast and its major cities.”
verb + noun
03. deploy across oblast
“Additional troops were deployed across the oblast last week.”
verb + prep + noun
04. evacuate oblast
“Authorities ordered civilians to evacuate the oblast immediately.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. contested oblast
“The contested oblast remains central to the peace negotiations.”
adj + noun
06. donetsk oblast
“Much of the Donetsk oblast has suffered severe infrastructure damage.”
adj + noun
07. eastern oblast
“Heavy fighting continues in the eastern oblast near the border.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. administration of oblast
“The administration of the oblast coordinates schools and hospitals.”
noun + prep + noun
09. capital of oblast
“Kharkiv is the capital of the oblast and a major cultural centre.”
noun + prep + noun
10. governor of oblast
“The governor of the oblast briefed reporters on the evacuation.”
noun + prep + noun
11. across the border oblasts
“Air raid alerts sounded across the border oblasts overnight.”
12. annex the eastern oblast
“The Kremlin threatened to annex the eastern oblast by decree.”
Real-World Examples
“Russian President Vladimir Putin still expects his forces to seize more Ukrainian territory and believes Russia can capture the rest of Donetsk Oblast by the end of 2026, Reuters reported, citing a person close to the Kremlin.” “On the night of July 18, Ukrainian drones attacked the Wildberries logistics center-warehouse in the city of Kotovsk, Tambov Oblast.” Etymology
From a Slavic language, probably Russian о́бласть (óblastʹ, “region, province”), borrowed from Old Church Slavonic область (oblastĭ), from Proto-Slavic obolstь, from earlier obvolstь, obvoldtь, a compound of o(b)- (“over”) + volstь (“rule, power, authority”), thus originally probably meaning "a region ruled over". Compare Proto-Slavic obvoldati (“to rule”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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