forage

1 of 2

noun

for·​age ˈfȯr-ij 

ˈfär-

1

: food for animals especially when taken by browsing or grazing

The grass serves as forage for livestock.

2

[forage entry 2] : the act of foraging : search for provisions

They made forages to find food.

forage

2 of 2

verb

foraged; foraging

transitive verb

1

: to strip of provisions : collect forage from

2

: to secure by foraging

foraged a chicken for the feast

intransitive verb

1

: to wander in search of forage or food

2

: to secure forage (as for horses) by stripping the country

3

: ravage, raid

4

: to make a search : rummage

forager noun

Synonyms

Verb

• graze
• pasture

Examples of forage in a Sentence

Noun

The grass serves as forage for livestock.

Verb

The cows were foraging in the pasture.

He had to forage for firewood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some popular cover crop options include forage radishes, field peas, winter rye, crimson clover, and buckwheat. 6. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2025

This decline is attributed to several factors, including habitat loss and a reduction in essential forage, such as milkweed. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 25 Mar. 2025

Verb

The menu—served in a multi-course format that evolves with the seasons with housemade beverages to pair with each course—spotlights wild herbs and forest plants foraged from the forest, like birch water, spruce shoots, wild berries, tree beard and mushrooms. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2025

At the restaurant, a farm-to-table menu will use ingredients foraged in the area, such as Icelandic herbs, various seaweeds, and berries, as well as products sourced from local ranches, fisheries, and geothermal greenhouses. —AFAR Media, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from fuerre, foer fodder, straw, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder — more at food

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for forage

• borage
• porridge
• storage

Kids Definition

forage

1 of 2 noun

for·​age ˈfȯr-ij 

ˈfär-

1

: food (as pasture) for browsing or grazing animals

2

: a search for food or supplies

forage

2 of 2 verb

foraged; foraging

1

: browse entry 1 sense 1, graze

2

: to make a search especially for food or supplies

forage for grain

forage for firewood

3

: to get by foraging

forager noun