agriculture

noun

ag·​ri·​cul·​ture ˈa-gri-ˌkəl-chər How to pronounce agriculture (audio)
: the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products
cleared the land to use it for agriculture
agriculturist noun

Examples of agriculture in a Sentence

They cleared the land to use it for agriculture. the forest was cut down, and the land given over to agriculture
Recent Examples on the Web The organization also has looked at shifting public policy to regulate burn days, when old orchards are set afire, and electrify big rigs that rely on diesel fuel, a key polluter on the main highways that bring agriculture from the valley to cities in the north and south. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024 The region is a major site of oil and gas production as well as agriculture, both of which produce significant local pollution. Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 24 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for agriculture 

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

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin agricultura, from ager field + cultura cultivation — more at acre, culture

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of agriculture was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near agriculture

Cite this Entry

“Agriculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agriculture. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

agriculture

noun
ag·​ri·​cul·​ture ˈag-ri-ˌkəl-chər How to pronounce agriculture (audio)
: the science or occupation of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock : farming
agriculturist noun
or agriculturalist

More from Merriam-Webster on agriculture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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