livestock

noun

live·​stock ˈlīv-ˌstäk How to pronounce livestock (audio)
: animals kept or raised for use or pleasure
especially : farm animals kept for use and profit

Examples of livestock in a Sentence

a market where livestock are bought and sold a market where livestock is bought and sold
Recent Examples on the Web The trend probably started organically, as farmers incorporated pythons into their household livestock, Aust said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024 In the dry months, families hike miles under the beating sun, hopeful their livestock can sip from a small plastic container, fed by a hose running high into the distant mountains. Megan Janetsky, Victor R. Caivano and Rodrigo Abd, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Last year marked the worst financial downturn in a quarter century for Iowa and U.S. pork producers, with rising costs outstripping prices farmers received for their livestock, experts have said. Kevin Baskins, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 Invasive grasses brought by Spaniards during the late 1700s to feed their livestock have made grasslands less habitable for ground squirrels and burrowing owls alike. Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 But the next day, state officials called and asked for any veterinarians still available to help treat the large numbers of struggling livestock across the region. Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs Desiree Rios, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Records show Acree also owed back taxes from 2019 through 2023 of $1,150 for a livestock trailer, two utility trailers, a pickup, an SUV and two horse trailers. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 The Panhandle is cattle country, and ranchers have been able to do little but watch as the grasslands that their livestock rely on for food have been burned. J. David Goodman, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Its method: Unite the area’s farmers, livestock breeders, traders, researchers, business leaders and youths. Tom Watkins, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'livestock.' 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

circa 1687, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of livestock was circa 1687

Dictionary Entries Near livestock

Cite this Entry

“Livestock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livestock. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

livestock

noun
live·​stock ˈlīv-ˌstäk How to pronounce livestock (audio)
: animals kept or raised
especially : farm animals kept for use and profit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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