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

The next day, a veterinarian inspected Honey and gave medical advice, including that the horse should be given a diet of alfalfa hay. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025

The sheriff’s office began tracking Ed by drone, then tried to bait him with alfalfa after locating him in a field. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025

Much of Arizona’s crops are exported, either to other states or, as is the case with alfalfa, internationally. —Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025

To cut down on cost, buy alfalfa meal fertilizer in bulk from seed companies or livestock feed stores. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2025

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