alfalfa

noun

al·​fal·​fa al-ˈfal-fə 

: a deep-rooted leguminous perennial plant (Medicago sativa) of southwestern Asia that is widely grown for hay and forage

Examples of alfalfa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

About three-fourths of the water taken from it flows to farmland — about 5 million acres of it — producing alfalfa for cattle, lettuce, broccoli and other crops. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Rubisco, the most abundant form of protein on the planet, comes from ubiquitous alfalfa leaves. — Rachel Sacks, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

The next morning the deer would be coming back into the woods to bed from alfalfa to the north, and the wind would be out of the west. — Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026

The plan would permanently preserve 374 acres of farmland owned by Bullseye Farms, which currently grows sunflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes and alfalfa. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, modification of Arabic dialect al-faṣfaṣa the alfalfa

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing alfalfa

• alfalfa weevil
• Egyptian alfalfa weevil
• spotted alfalfa aphid

Rhymes for alfalfa

• alfa
• alpha

Kids Definition

alfalfa

noun

al·​fal·​fa al-ˈfal-fə 

: a deep-rooted southwest Asian plant of the legume family with purple flowers and leaves like clover that is widely grown for hay and forage