silage

noun

si·​lage ˈsī-lij How to pronounce silage (audio)
: fodder (such as hay or corn) converted into succulent feed for livestock through processes of anaerobic bacterial fermentation (as in a silo)

Examples of silage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There were signs of growth in the production of durum wheat, corn for silage, and several forage crops — an increase that matches that of the dairy industry in the past decades. The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 Two years later, the company commissioned its first commercial plant, which combined a hay and silage farm (also based in Germany) with panels that provided more than 4 megawatts. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2024 Canals slice between orchards and acres of silage, pushing all-important irrigation water through a network of laterals from farm to farm. Jake Bittle, WIRED, 6 Jan. 2024 After some experimentation, the company in 2018 commissioned its first demonstration in Germany, which combined farming for hay and silage with a solar module that could supply 2 megawatts. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2024 As they were shown around a Welsh farm by Gary and Jess Yeomans, Prince William spotted a robot silage sweeper in one of the barns. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 10 July 2023 Esther Olu: Black Opium had long-lasting power (8+ hours) and great silage. ELLE, 24 May 2023 Corn harvested for silage reached 91% complete, 24 days ahead of last year and 15 days ahead of normal. Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, 5 Oct. 2020 But a whopping 86 percent of water is consumed by crop irrigation, including the 32 percent of water used to grow crops that humans don’t even eat directly, such as alfalfa, hay, and corn silage for livestock. Noah Gordon, The New Republic, 29 Mar. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

short for ensilage

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silage was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near silage

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

silage

noun
si·​lage ˈsī-lij How to pronounce silage (audio)
: fodder (as hay or corn) fermented (as in a silo) to produce a rich moist feed for livestock

More from Merriam-Webster on silage

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