meadow

noun

mead·​ow ˈme-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce meadow (audio)
often attributive
: land that is covered or mostly covered with grass
wildflowers blooming in the meadow
especially : a tract of moist low-lying usually level grassland
meadowy adjective

Examples of meadow 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.
Although there may not be snow on the ground, the area still charms with its alpine vistas, green meadows, and waterfalls, such as Staubbach Falls, the third highest waterfall in Switzerland. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025 From the Call of the Canyon parking area in Oak Creek Canyon, hikers cross a shaggy meadow, then follow the creek into verdant forests beneath high cliffs. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Duane dragged the deer out of a band of alders and into a large grassy meadow so that nothing could sneak up unseen during the field-dressing process. Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025 Facing physical puzzles along the way, each episode sees the teams navigate varied landscapes, from narrow city streets to rivers and countryside meadows. Peter White, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meadow

Word History

Etymology

Middle English medwe, medowe "grassland kept for hay, pasture field," going back to Old English mǣdwe, oblique singular case form of mǣd, going back to West Germanic *mēdwō- (whence also Old Frisian mēde "pasture, meadow," Middle Dutch māde, mēde), noun derivative from the verbal base *mē- "reap, mow" — more at mow entry 2

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meadow was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meadow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meadow. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

meadow

noun
mead·​ow ˈmed-ō How to pronounce meadow (audio)
: an area of moist low usually level grassland

More from Merriam-Webster on meadow

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