plantation

noun

plan·​ta·​tion plan-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce plantation (audio)
1
: a usually large group of plants and especially trees under cultivation
2
: a settlement in a new country or region
Plymouth Plantation
3
a
: a place that is planted or under cultivation
b
: an agricultural estate usually worked by resident labor

Examples of plantation in a Sentence

the struggling plantation almost failed during the first winter
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.
Harding’s daughter — curiously named William Elizabeth Harding in honor of her parents — inherited the plantation after marrying David H. McGavock, her cousin, in 1850. Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean, 4 July 2025 The remaining countryside is sparsely populated, and the pastoral mix of farmlands, marshes and eucalyptus plantations creates an ideal blend of habit for several varieties of game birds to thrive including the tinamou, doves, pigeons and many species of ducks. Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Historic banana plantation buildings and the region’s striking natural landscapes—such as African palm fields—will also provide the backdrop to this drama. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 26 June 2025 The attack liberated some 756 enslaved laborers, who abandoned the burning plantations and ran to salvation aboard the Union boats. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for plantation

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plantation was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Plantation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plantation. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

plantation

noun
plan·​ta·​tion plan-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce plantation (audio)
1
: a group of plants and especially trees planted and cared for
2
: a settlement in a new country or region : colony
3
: a planted area
especially : an agricultural estate worked by laborers

Geographical Definition

Plantation

geographical name

city in southeastern Florida west of Fort Lauderdale population 84,955

More from Merriam-Webster on plantation

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