fescue

noun

fes·​cue ˈfe-(ˌ)skyü 

1

: a small pointer (such as a stick) used to point out letters to children learning to read

2

: any of a genus (Festuca) of tufted perennial grasses with panicled spikelets

Examples of fescue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cool-season grasses such as fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass are most active during the winter and early spring months and may go dormant during the heat of summer depending on irrigation practices. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 June 2025

Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescues, are generally maintained at 3 to 4 inches tall. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2025

Both contain a mixture of fescues, microclover and the latter, some other flowering species. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025

Additionally, fescue will serve as a raw material for bioplastics, building materials, and animal bedding. —Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English festu stalk, straw, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin festucum, from Latin festuca

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fescue

• fescue foot
• meadow fescue
• red fescue
• sheep fescue
• tall fescue

Rhymes for fescue

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

fescue

noun

fes·​cue ˈfes-(ˌ)kyü 

: a tufted perennial grass