oxford

1 of 3

noun (1)

ox·ford ˈäks-fərd

: a low shoe laced or tied over the instep

: a soft durable cotton or synthetic fabric made in plain or basket weaves

called also oxford cloth

Oxford down

2 of 3

noun (2)

variants often Oxford Down

: any of a Down breed of large hornless sheep developed by crossing Cotswolds and Hampshires

called also Oxford

oxford gray

3 of 3

noun (3)

variants or less commonly oxford

plural -s

often capitalized O

: a dark gray that is darker than pelican or Dover gray and lighter than fashion gray

Examples of oxford in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

Harry wears the same gray tweed trench coat and polished brown leather oxfords throughout the film. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026 Liu was wearing a black blazer, starched white culottes, and black oxfords. — Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 Black leather Florsheim oxfords—the best shoes, and just $145. — Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic, 17 Mar. 2026 This midi can be paired with white flat oxfords and a leather tote for the office, or heels and a clutch for a dinner out. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for oxford

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Oxford, England

Noun (2)

Oxfordshire, England

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of oxford was in 1843

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

oxfly

oxford

Oxford

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Oxford.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxford. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

oxford

noun

ox·ford ˈäks-fərd

: a low shoe laced over the middle of the foot

: oxford cloth

Geographical Definition

Oxford

geographical name

Ox·ford ˈäks-fərd

variants or Medieval Latin Oxonia

äk-ˈsō-nē-ə

city on the Thames River in south central England that is the capital of the county of Oxfordshire and site of the University of Oxford population 160,000

Oxfordian

äks-ˈfȯr-dē-ən

adjective or noun

oxford

noun (1)

noun (2)

noun (3)

Examples of oxford in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Geographical Definition

geographical name

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