# oblast

/ˈɑbɫæst/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oblast
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Synonyms

province, region

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.