(usu in pl) a widely cultivated cereal grass with a loosely branched flower head, producing grain that is used mainly as a livestock feed: Avena sativa
Oats: a grain, which in England is generally given to horses but in Scotland supports the people — Dr Johnson
(usu in pl) any of several related grasses: genus Avena
(in pl) a crop or field of oats
an oat seed
feel one's oats
NAmer, informal to feel full of energy
NAmer, informal to be full of one's own importance
get one's oats
Brit, informal to have sex
sow one's wild oats
see sow2
oaten adj
oaty adj
[Old English āte]