meadow
MED-oh
/ˈmɛdoʊ/
A piece of grassland, especially one used for hay or grazing.
Suggests a flat, open area filled with grass and often wildflowers.
The story behind the word. The word has deep Germanic roots, coming from the Old English 'mædwe.' It is related to the word 'mow,' as a meadow was traditionally a field that was mown for hay rather than just grazed.
Word relationships
- pasture: Specifically refers to land used for grazing animals.
- field: A more general term that can include land used for crops.
- woodland: Land covered with trees.
Commonly confused with
- pasture: A meadow is often left to grow for hay, while a pasture is actively grazed by animals.
Word family
- meadowy (adjective): Resembling or consisting of a meadow.
Collocations
- wildflower meadow
- alpine meadow
- lush meadow
- water meadow
Example sentences
- "The children spent the afternoon running through the meadow, picking armfuls of wildflowers." Describing a summer scene.
- "The farmer moved the cows to the upper meadow where the grass was thicker." Describing agriculture.
Memory hook
Think of drinking 'mead' (honey wine) in a field of flowers. A field of grass and flowers.
When not to use
Do not use for a manicured lawn or a dense forest.
Fun facts
- 'Water meadows' are areas of grassland next to a river that are deliberately flooded to encourage early grass growth.
- Many famous battles, like the Battle of Bosworth Field, took place in large meadows.
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