ranch

1 of 2

noun

1
: a large farm for raising horses, beef cattle, or sheep
2
: a farm or area devoted to a particular specialty
3

ranch

2 of 2

verb

ranched; ranching; ranches

intransitive verb

: to live or work on a ranch

transitive verb

1
: to work as a rancher on
2
: to raise on a ranch

Examples of ranch in a Sentence

Noun lives on a cattle ranch in Texas that's as big as the whole state of Rhode Island Verb My grandfather started ranching here 150 years ago. The family has ranched 10,000 acres here for the past 150 years. The family has been ranching cattle here for 150 years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Ultimately, the owners faced 100 criminal charges Atlantis Leadership Academy is a small for-profit school that Cook opened in 2016, after consulting for programs in the troubled teen industry, a constellation of boarding schools, wilderness camps, ranches and treatment centers for youth. Tyler Kingkade, NBC News, 25 Apr. 2024 Presidents also have a history of pushing back on high borrowing costs: Lyndon B. Johnson is said to have cornered his Fed chair against a wall at his Texas ranch. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024 The fields can be visited daily through Mother’s Day, along with activities on the ranch, including tractor wagon rides, mining for gem stones and a strawberry shack. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024 But in 1981, a ranch dog brought a dead ferret home, leading to the discovery of a small population of the species near the town of Meeteetse, Wyoming. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2024 Until recently, this barrier would have kept her out of a ranch operating on Indigenous Cabécar territory. Justine Calma, The Verge, 22 Apr. 2024 Currently, Jones and wife Dawn live on a 150-year-old Texas cattle ranch, and also spend time on their 74-acre polo estate in Buenos Aires, Argentina, The New Yorker previously reported. Jane Lacroix, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024 Bennett had a previous career as a farrier and spends his summers competing in local ranch rodeos. Jacob Spetzler, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024 Most likely because the 57-plus acre ranch has a load of rich — and rare — amenities, including a vineyard nestled near the primary house and a party area along the creek that runs through the property, listing agent Tod Christensen told Mansion Global. Tj MacIas, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024
Verb
The eldest Drummond daughter shared that the change of scenery from working mornings in an office to ranching in the morning has been positive for her. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024 Its admission to the union in 1850 was largely driven by the gold rush, which temporarily supplanted the agriculture and cattle ranching that had been economic mainstays. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024 The film stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as two Wyoming cowboys who fall in love on a ranching trip before going their separate ways and marrying women (Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway). Lia Beck, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2024 Tough choice for ranchers Florida’s ranching history stretches back 500 years, to when Spanish colonists first introduced cattle to America. Stephanie Castellano, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2023 Montana ranching family has garnered a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim. Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 This reality series follows a real-life ranching family in rural Missouri, much like the Duttons, who share an inside look at their business, McBee Farm and Cattle. as well as their personal affairs with audiences. Emily Blackwood, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 Ranchlands This Colorado agricultural business operates large-scale cattle and bison ranches in addition to hospitality stays focused on preserving the legacy of ranching in the American West. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 The initiative has caused turmoil in ranching communities that fear for their livestock. Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2024

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

Noun

Mexican Spanish rancho small ranch, from Spanish, camp, hut & Spanish dialect, small farm, from Old Spanish ranchearse to take up quarters, from Middle French se ranger to take up a position, from ranger to set in a row — more at range

First Known Use

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1851, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ranch was in 1831

Dictionary Entries Near ranch

Cite this Entry

“Ranch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ranch. Accessed 1 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

ranch

1 of 2 noun
1
: a place for the raising of livestock (as cattle, horses, or sheep) on range
2
: a farm devoted to a specific crop or kind of animal
a fruit ranch
a mink ranch
3

ranch

2 of 2 verb
: to live or work on a ranch

More from Merriam-Webster on ranch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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