oblast
/ˈɒblæst/ (OH-blahst)
Definitions
1. noun
A historical administrative division of Russia, typically larger than an okrug and smaller than a krai.
“The oblast was established as a key administrative region in 1920s Russia.”
2. noun
A type of administrative division in other countries, such as Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
“The oblast system is still in use in some countries today.”