alfalfa
noun
al·fal·fa
al-ˈfal-fə 
: 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
Beekeepers began hauling their hives cross-country to pollinate everything from orchard fruits and nuts, to berries, melons, squashes, sunflowers, cotton, clover, alfalfa, and seed crops.
—
Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Downsizing agriculture’s water footprint will be critical, Castle said, because farms use about three-fourths of the water, much of it to grow alfalfa and other kinds of hay to feed cattle.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Among the water-saving measures could be farmers leaving fields dry or replacing thirsty crops like alfalfa with drought-tolerant ones.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
These voracious eaters are particularly fond of soybeans and other legumes, alfalfa, broccoli, corn, and apples.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alfalfa
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.
Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Downsizing agriculture’s water footprint will be critical, Castle said, because farms use about three-fourths of the water, much of it to grow alfalfa and other kinds of hay to feed cattle.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Among the water-saving measures could be farmers leaving fields dry or replacing thirsty crops like alfalfa with drought-tolerant ones.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
These voracious eaters are particularly fond of soybeans and other legumes, alfalfa, broccoli, corn, and apples.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alfalfa
Cite this Entry
“Alfalfa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alfalfa. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
alfalfa
noun
al·fal·fa
al-ˈfal-fə
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
