agropastoralism

noun

ag·​ro·​pas·​to·​ral·​ism ¦a-(ˌ)grō-¦pa-st(ə-)rə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce agropastoralism (audio)
: a way of life or a form of social organization based on the growing of crops and the raising of livestock as the primary means of economic activity
Agropastoralism in these agriculturally marginal environments demanded a regular exchange of livestock for crops, especially during droughts.N. Thomas Hakansson, Ethnology, Summer 1998
agropastoralist adjective
… this article explores the sociocultural context of ritual violence in a small-scale agropastoralist society and its relation to social reproductive concerns. Jon G. Abbink, Ethnology, Summer 1999
agropastoralist noun
plural agropastoralists
They were agropastoralists who were good at raising cattle and sheep and who were able to utilize the minimal available water for growing wheat. Victor Mair, quoted by Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of agropastoralism was in 1982

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near agropastoralism

Cite this Entry

“Agropastoralism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agropastoralism. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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