lawn

1 of 2

noun (1)

1
archaic : an open space between woods : glade
2
: ground (as around a house or in a garden or park) that is covered with grass and is kept mowed
3
: a relatively even layer of bacteria covering the surface of a culture medium
lawn adjective
or lawny
ˈlȯ-nē How to pronounce lawn (audio)
ˈlä-

lawn

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a fine sheer linen or cotton fabric of plain weave that is thinner than cambric
lawny adjective

Examples of lawn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Central Park reigns supreme as the ultimate Big Apple green space with a carousel, zoo, and sprawling lawns. Lindsay Cohn, Parents, 28 Nov. 2023 The house overlooks a creek, and large metal farm animals are pinned to the lawn. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023 The generous half-acre lot includes grassy lawns, mature palm trees, a towering hedge wall for privacy, and a large swimming pool encircled by a patio sure to delight sunbathers and entertainers alike. James McClain, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2023 Among the detritus cleared from gutters and lawns are the future of the state’s forests. Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2023 The Wish Room doubles as a family gathering/brunch space or bridal prep room, and there’s plenty of lush lawn for lounging or games—great for New Park’s pet-friendly policy. Kelsy Chauvin, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Nov. 2023 The winners, representing industries ranging from food to financial services and lawn care, won more than $200,000 through the NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant. Joyce Philippe, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2023 The loggia looks over the swimming pool, beyond which a tree-shaded lawn rolls down to the estate’s 300 feet of river frontage. Mark David, Robb Report, 16 Nov. 2023 In Los Angeles, school superintendent Alberto Carvalho has gone door to door; in Alabama, signs stressing the importance of attendance are displayed on front lawns; in Philadelphia, local programs have been established that send out text messages to potentially truant youths' parents. Lauren Lantry, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lawn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English launde, from Anglo-French land, launde wood, unwooded field, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish lann land — more at land

Noun (2)

Middle English lawne, laund, probably from Laon, France

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near lawn

Cite this Entry

“Lawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lawn. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

lawn

1 of 2 noun
ˈlȯn How to pronounce lawn (audio)
ˈlän
: ground covered with grass that is kept mowed

lawn

2 of 2 noun
: a fine sheer linen or cotton fabric
Etymology

Noun

Middle English launde "an open space between woods," from early French lande "land overgrown with shrubs"; of Celtic origin

Noun

Middle English lawn "a sheer fabric," probably from Laon, a town in France where linen was made

Medical Definition

lawn

noun
: a relatively even layer of bacteria covering the surface of a culture medium

More from Merriam-Webster on lawn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!