mulch

noun

ˈməlch How to pronounce mulch (audio)
ˈməlsh
: 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
mulch transitive verb

Examples of mulch in a Sentence

She spread some mulch around the plants.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Under a new rule, landscaping materials such as compost, wood chips, mulch, and palms taller than four feet are not allowed to be shipped from Oahu. CBS News, 24 Oct. 2024 Use leaves as mulch around perennials and new plantings. Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2024 Clearing trees in play areas was encouraged, as was replacing concrete and even grass with bouncier and less trip-inducing surfaces such as ground-rubber mulch and artificial turf, which trap heat. Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2024 Create Your Garden is a partnership with customers in which the water company covers the cost of a professional landscaper’s plan for a new landscape, herbicides to help kill a lawn and fresh plants, mulch and parts needed to install a drip irrigation system for the new yard. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mulch 

Word History

Etymology

perhaps irregular from English dialect melch soft, mild

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mulch was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near mulch

Cite this Entry

“Mulch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mulch. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

mulch

1 of 2 noun
ˈməlch
: a covering (as of straw or sawdust) spread over the ground to protect the roots of plants from heat, cold, or evaporation, prevent soil loss, control weeds, enrich the soil, or keep fruit (as strawberries) clean

mulch

2 of 2 verb
: to cover with mulch

More from Merriam-Webster on mulch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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