mulch

noun \ ˈməlch , ˈməlsh \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of mulch

: a protective covering (as of sawdust, compost, or paper) spread or left on the ground to reduce evaporation, maintain even soil temperature, prevent erosion, control weeds, enrich the soil, or keep fruit (such as strawberries) clean

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mulch

transitive verb

See mulch defined for English-language learners

See mulch defined for kids

Examples of mulch in a Sentence

She spread some mulch around the plants.

Recent Examples of mulch from the Web

One of the four dumps in Delhi, which is operated by the government and a private company, has reduced its garbage heap by turning some trash into mulch.

— New York Times, "‘The Dump Killed My Son’: Mountains of Garbage Engulf India’s Capital," 10 June 2018
Another small firm in Ontario sells forms of hemp as animal bedding and mulch.

— bill laitner, Detroit Free Press, "Grow hemp? It's no laughing matter for Michigan farmers," 4 June 2018
Children will be able to touch other plants such as rosemary and lamb’s ear in a sensory garden and experience different textures of gravel and mulch while walking on footpaths.

— mayra cruz, Houston Chronicle, "Mercer Botanic Gardens set to teach families about plants with children’s garden," 31 May 2018
Replace constantly declining turf in dense shade with a mulch or ground cover. 25.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "June in the garden," 26 May 2018
Feed with compost, backfill the soil, water, and mulch to retain moisture and keep weeds down.

— arricca sansone, Country Living, "How to Grow Ornamental Grasses," 24 May 2018
Firefighters responded to the scene after mulch outside the boathouse caught fire.

— adam sennott, BostonGlobe.com, "Cambridge police charge homeless man with setting trash and recycling bins on fire," 9 May 2018
With mulch in place, hoeing won’t work to remove weeds.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Save yourself some work in your garden and with your lawn this year | Idaho Statesman," 2 May 2018
To clean a property, workers remove contaminated soil for disposal, replace it with clean dirt, then cover it with sod, decomposed granite or mulch.

— ben poston, latimes.com, "The Exide plant in Vernon closed 3 years ago. The vast majority of lead-contaminated properties remain uncleaned," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mulch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mulch

perhaps irregular from English dialect melch soft, mild

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First Known Use: 1657

in the meaning defined above

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MULCH Defined for English Language Learners

mulch

noun

Definition of mulch for English Language Learners

: a material (such as straw, leaves, or small pieces of wood) that is spread over the ground in a garden to protect the plants or help them grow and to stop weeds from growing

MULCH Defined for Kids

mulch

noun \ ˈməlch \

Definition of mulch for Students

: a material (as straw or bark) spread over the ground especially to protect the roots of plants from heat or cold, to keep soil moist, and to control weeds