napier grass

noun

na·pi·er grass ˈnā-pē-ər-

: a tall stout African perennial grass (Pennisetum purpureum) that resembles sugarcane and is widely grown for forage

called also elephant grass

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Black Stockings napier grass is the newest Texas Superstar plant. —

Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 25 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'napier grass.' 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

Napier, town in South Africa

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of napier grass was in 1919

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Napier grass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/napier%20grass. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

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