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

First frosts are generally time to dig out plants, replace them with cover crops and keep an eye on tender indoor plants. — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Many reduced or eliminated their petrochemical use, stopped tilling their fields and added additional plant varieties and cover crops to protect the soil. — Sydney Giacalone, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

The strategy has relied on voluntary action, asking farmers to adopt conservation practices such as planting cover crops to slow runoff and reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution flowing into waterways. — Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 15 Sep. 2026

Taking the time now to freshen up your garden soil with late applications of compost or a planting of cover crops is an easy way to add nutrients back into your garden and help plants grow better in spring. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cover crop

• barbershop
• countertop
• lollipop
• mountaintop
• photoshop
• tabletop
• turboprop
• atop
• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop

Kids Definition

cover crop

noun

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