The effect of circular central holes on the monotonic tensile stress-strain behaviour and strength of a continuous fibre-reinforced oxide/oxide composite was investigated. The material used consisted of 12 layers of un-coated plain weave fabric of Nextel 720, with either 0/90 or plus or minus 45 degrees fibre orientation with respect to the loading direction, embedded in an aluminosilicate matrix. 100 and 200-mm long straight-sided specimens with central holes were tested for ratios of hole diameter to width (a/w) between 0.1 and 0.4, and width values between 3 mm and 25 mm. It was found that as-processed specimens with both fibre architectures were notch insensitive at ambient temperature, but exhibited mild notch sensitivity at elevated temperatures. It was also found that the strength of the material was retained after heat treatments at 1000 C, but that it decreased significantly after exposures at 100 C for periods of time of 20 and 100 h. The strength of test specimens with 0/90 fibre orientation was found to decrease with increasing width, but no size effects on strength were observed for specimens with plus or minus 45 degrees fibre orientation. These results are discussed in relation to the microstructure of the material and its evolution at elevated temperatures.