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.
From chemistry to caring Ramirez was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, known for its silver mines, agriculture, and strong cultural pride. IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025 Many experts, including a former agriculture minister, have repeatedly cautioned that Iran must keep water use below 40% of renewable supplies, leaving enough for rivers to flow, wetlands to breathe, and aquifers to naturally recharge. Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025 These changes could also help cut annual greenhouse gas emissions from global food systems by more than half, according to the EAT-Lancet commission, a group of leading experts in agriculture, climate, economics, health and nutrition from more than 35 countries across six continents. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025 New immigrants found work in the booming construction industry, as well as in agriculture, transportation, utilities and manufacturing. Gisela Salomon, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Agriculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agriculture. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!