cover crop

noun

: a crop planted to prevent soil erosion and to provide humus

Examples of cover crop in a Sentence

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.
Harvest the last winter crops, remove dead plant material, and turn under cover crops. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2026 Red clover — Another non-native, but useful as a cover crop and fodder for livestock. Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2026 Plant a cover crop, also known as green manure. Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 20 Feb. 2026 The estate is farmed with a deep commitment to agro-ecology, which includes zero herbicides, zero insecticides, extensive cover crops, agroforestry, beehives, nesting boxes, and the planting of more than 1,500 trees. Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cover crop

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cover crop was in 1899

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cover crop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cover%20crop. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

cover crop

noun
: a crop planted to prevent soil erosion and to provide humus

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