bushel

1 of 2

noun

bush·​el ˈbu̇-shəl How to pronounce bushel (audio)
Synonyms of bushelnext
1
: any of various units of dry capacity see Weights and Measures Table
2
: a container holding a bushel
3
: a large quantity
bushels of money

bushel

2 of 2

verb

busheled; busheling ˈbu̇-sh(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bushel (audio)
busheler noun

Examples of bushel in a Sentence

Noun picked up a bushel of decorations at the after-Christmas sale
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.
Noun
Harvests can exceed hundreds of thousands of bushels, generating millions in revenue, according to surveys and reports. Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026 Sarkisian has coached plenty of explosive wideouts, from Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett at USC to a bushel of Alabama stars in Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle and Calvin Ridley. Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026 Cornerback Trent McDuffie is being sent to Los Angeles for a bushel of draft picks. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026 Vintage bushel baskets are very handy in the garden. Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bushel

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English busshel, from Anglo-French bussel, buschelle, from Old French boisse measure of grain, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish boss breadth of the hand

Verb

probably from German bosseln to do poor work, to patch; akin to Old English bēatan to beat

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bushel was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bushel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bushel. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

bushel

noun
bush·​el
ˈbu̇sh-əl
1
: any of various units of dry capacity see measure
2
: a container holding a bushel
3
: a large quantity

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