alfalfa

noun

al·​fal·​fa al-ˈfal-fə How to pronounce alfalfa (audio)
: a deep-rooted leguminous perennial plant (Medicago sativa) of southwestern Asia that is widely grown for hay and forage

Examples of alfalfa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Amend tired soil with 2-4 inches of fresh soil, 2 inches compost, and a combo of growth enhancing natural fertilizers such as worm castings, alfalfa, and kelp meal. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 The hard-scrabble, agricultural community produces alfalfa, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, corn, melons and citrus, The city is fast becoming famous more another export: wrestlers. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024 And Idaho, long famous for potatoes, is now America’s largest producer of alfalfa to feed the cows that supply the state’s huge cheese factories. Christopher Flavelle, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2023 Potatoes are an important crop for Ak-Chin, which also produces cotton, barley, alfalfa and corn. The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 More:Could cannabis hemp and alfalfa solve PFAS contamination? Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024 The issue is to create a feedstock market for the grass (grains) and clover and alfalfa (legumes) that would grow on the off-year rotations. Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2024 Sage grouse lack a muscular gizzard capable of grinding seeds, so their only use of agricultural fields is to feed on alfalfa. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 11 Jan. 2024 And the cows producing that milk need to eat high-protein foods, including alfalfa. Christopher Flavelle, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2023

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

Spanish, modification of Arabic dialect al-faṣfaṣa the alfalfa

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alfalfa was in 1791

Dictionary Entries Near alfalfa

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

alfalfa

noun
al·​fal·​fa al-ˈfal-fə How to pronounce alfalfa (audio)
: a deep-rooted southwest Asian plant of the legume family with purple flowers and leaves like clover that is widely grown for hay and forage

More from Merriam-Webster on alfalfa

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