meadow

noun

mead·​ow ˈme-(ˌ)dō 

often attributive

: land that is covered or mostly covered with grass

wildflowers blooming in the meadow

especially : a tract of moist low-lying usually level grassland

meadowy

ˈme-də-wē 

adjective

Examples of meadow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crowds and traffic became such an issue that in 2021, the park began requiring weekend visitors during the February Firefall dates to have reservations as a way to limit congestion and prevent crowds from trampling stream banks and parking illegally along Yosemite Valley’s sensitive meadows. —Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026

From rugged descents through pine forests to flowy singletrack that rolls through meadows, there’s a trail for every ability. —Jen Murphy, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026

The property offers several lodging options, from idyllic cottages overlooking wildflower meadows to safari-style glamping tents to a clubhouse complete with an outdoor kitchen and firepit. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026

In the distance, cows grazed on rolling meadows. —Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English medwe, medowe "grassland kept for hay, pasture field," going back to Old English mǣdwe, oblique singular case form of mǣd, going back to West Germanic *mēdwō- (whence also Old Frisian mēde "pasture, meadow," Middle Dutch māde, mēde), noun derivative from the verbal base *mē- "reap, mow" — more at mow entry 2

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing meadow

• meadow beauty
• meadow fescue
• meadow grass
• meadow mushroom
• meadow nematode
• meadow rue
• meadow saffron
• meadow spittlebug
• meadow vole
• water meadow

Rhymes for meadow

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

meadow

noun

mead·​ow ˈmed-ō 

: an area of moist low usually level grassland