grassland

noun

grass·​land ˈgras-ˌland How to pronounce grassland (audio)
1
: farmland occupied chiefly by forage plants and especially grasses
2
a
: land on which the natural dominant plant forms are grasses and forbs
b
: an ecological community in which the characteristic plants are grasses

Examples of grassland in a Sentence

stunning pictures of the giraffes and zebras roaming the grasslands of Africa
Recent Examples on the Web Up to half of the Amazon rainforest could transform into grasslands or weakened ecosystems in the coming decades, a new study found, as climate change, deforestation and severe droughts damage huge areas beyond their ability to recover. Cara Buckley, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 In central Nebraska, a mower sparked a prairie fire that has burned a huge swath of grassland roughly the size of the state’s largest city of Omaha, state officials said Tuesday. Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 In the grasslands of Southern Ukraine, between Crimea and mainland Ukraine, a natural history researcher named Yura (Dmytro Bahnenko) is hoping to track down and photograph a groundhog. Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Feb. 2024 The hilly grassland and dunes that characterize Ireland’s classic grounds inspired the inland Irish course. Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 From jackals to hornbills, many grassland animals form a deep bond with their partner By Devin Farmiloe The Lion King got one thing right: love is in the air on the savanna. Devin Farmiloe, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2024 This is a common grassland bird that loves open spaces with an extensive range that spans east to the Mississippi River. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024 Their extensive belowground networks nourish forests and grasslands via symbiotic connections with plant roots. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024 Seven distinct habitats, from woodland and grassland to wetlands and mountainside, make up this unique environment. Lauren Jade Hill, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grassland.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of grassland was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near grassland

Cite this Entry

“Grassland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grassland. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grassland

noun
grass·​land -ˌland How to pronounce grassland (audio)
: land covered with herbs (as grasses and clover) rather than shrubs and trees

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