heath

noun

1
a
: a tract of wasteland
b
: an extensive area of rather level open uncultivated land usually with poor coarse soil, inferior drainage, and a surface rich in peat or peaty humus
2
a
: any of a family (Ericaceae, the heath family) of shrubby dicotyledonous and often evergreen plants that thrive on open barren usually acid and ill-drained soil
especially : an evergreen subshrub of either of two genera (Erica and Calluna) with whorls of needlelike leaves and clusters of small flowers
b
: any of various plants that resemble true heaths
heathless adjective
heathlike adjective
heathy adjective

Examples of heath in a Sentence

not much grows on the heath besides heather drove through a vast, empty heath that seemingly had no end

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heth, from Old English hǣth; akin to Old High German heida heather, Old Welsh coit forest

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of heath was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near heath

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

heath

noun
1
: any of a family of shrubby often evergreen plants that grow well on open barren usually acid and poorly drained soil
especially : a low evergreen shrub with needlelike leaves and clusters of small flowers
2
: a usually level area of land overgrown with low shrubs
heathy adjective

Biographical Definition

Heath

biographical name

Sir Edward (Richard George) 1916–2005 British prime minister (1970–74)

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