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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) increased policy focus on water conservation, resulting in less water being used in agriculture, so that more could be provided to urban areas like San Diego. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 By 2050, Tanzania may experience significant drought and more intense flooding, which could lead to a widespread decrease in agriculture and a lowering of the gross domestic product by up to 18 percent. New York Times, 4 Nov. 2024 Last week, the world’s most influential voices in agriculture, sustainability, and anti-hunger advocacy gathered in Iowa for the Borlaug Dialogue, the flagship event of the World Food Prize. Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Kennedy has also been sizing himself up for another position in a potential Trump cabinet: agriculture secretary. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for agriculture 

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 22 Nov. 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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