agriculture

noun

ag·​ri·​cul·​ture ˈa-gri-ˌkəl-chər 

: 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

ˌa-gri-ˈkəl-ch(ə-)rist 

noun

or agriculturalist

ˌa-gri-ˈkəl-ch(ə-)rə-list 

Synonyms of agriculture

• farming

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

Further, the basin contains freshwater aquifers used for drinking, livestock, and agriculture. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

For the mostly Hispanic agriculture and food processing workers, the data center boom hasn’t been all good. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

The study, based on USDA Census of Agriculture data, details how the area’s rapid population growth and development demand are changing the regional agriculture economy. — Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026

By pairing strict accountability on spending with practical solutions for agriculture and infrastructure, Hilton focuses on restoring economic opportunity and reviving the California Dream for everyday residents. — Letters To The Editor, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin agricultura, from ager field + cultura cultivation — more at acre, culture entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing agriculture

• community-supported agriculture

Rhymes for agriculture

• apiculture
• aquaculture
• counterculture
• floriculture
• horticulture
• mariculture
• monoculture
• sericulture
• silviculture
• viticulture
• arboriculture
• culture

Kids Definition

agriculture

noun

ag·​ri·​cul·​ture ˈag-ri-ˌkəl-chər 

: the science or occupation of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock : farming

agriculturist

ˌag-ri-ˈkəlch- (ə-)rəst 

noun

or agriculturalist

-(ə-)rə-ləst