monoculture

noun

mono·​cul·​ture ˈmä-nə-ˌkəl-chər How to pronounce monoculture (audio)
Synonyms of monoculturenext
1
a
: the cultivation or growth of a single crop or organism especially on agricultural or forest land
b
: a crop or a population of a single kind of organism grown on land in monoculture
c
: growth consisting of a single crop, plant, or organism
The plant forms a thick monoculture that cuts down on the variety of plants and birdlife in the marsh …James Gorman
2
: a culture dominated by a single element : a prevailing culture marked by homogeneity
monocultural adjective

Examples of monoculture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Invasive species can take over a habitat, creating a monoculture that can harm wildlife. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026 Originally introduced from the African continent for erosion control and as livestock forage, now this species is imperiling Arizona’s beloved saguaro cactuses, palo verde and summer wildflowers, transforming swaths of the Sonoran Desert into a grassland monoculture. Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026 These days, thanks to a desire to shop more sustainably, a pushback on the monoculture, and tightening purse strings due to the rising cost of living, estate sales are edging their way into the mainstream. Zoey Goto, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026 The rise of modern agriculture has led to widespread monocultures of genetically uniform crops. Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monoculture

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of monoculture was in 1901

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monoculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monoculture. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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