prairie

noun, often attributive prai·rie \ ˈprer-ē \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of prairie

1 : land in or predominantly in grass

2 : a tract of grassland: such as

a : a large area of level or rolling land in the Mississippi River valley that in its natural uncultivated state usually has deep fertile soil, a cover of tall coarse grasses, and few trees

b : one of the dry treeless plateaus east of the Rocky Mountains that merge on their east side with the prairies proper and are characterized by shorter grasses and drier less fertile soil

See prairie defined for English-language learners

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Examples of prairie in a Sentence

Millions of buffalo once roamed the prairies.
The train tracks extend over miles of prairie.

Recent Examples of prairie from the Web

Taking advantage of a new Elgin ordinance that allows beekeeping, the hospital has added two honeybee hives to the natural prairie portion of its community garden as a means of not only producing honey but also encouraging bee pollination of plants.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Sherman Hospital adds beehives to its community garden," 2 June 2018
Because the town never plowed the cemetery, the prairie has gradually overtaken the gravesites.

— aimee levitt, Chicago Reader, "Lincoln, lizard mounds, angels, devil’s curses, and junk food magnates: midwestern cemeteries have ’em all," 30 May 2018
In 2006 Byrne took a gamble when Flint Hills leaders approached him about a concert on the prairie.

— matt campbell, kansascity, "The man who helped create KC Symphony growth and Flint Hills concerts is retiring | The Kansas City Star," 25 May 2018
The Seminole tribes drove out much of European settlement in the 1700s, becoming the primary ranchers of Florida and allowing huge herds to roam wild in the wetlands, palmetto plains and grassy prairies.

— vincent crampton, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Hardee County: Where Cracker history finds a home," 6 May 2018
From east to west, sprawling prairies, farmland and glistening glacial lakes transform into mountains and rugged Badlands.

— Smithsonian, "Discover more of South Dakota’s incredible sights," 23 Mar. 2018
Ranging across most of continental North America, this species prefers dry to medium moist soils and naturally occurs in prairies, glades, old fields, and roadsides.

— molly marquand, Good Housekeeping, "15 Native Wildflowers Every Gardener Should Plant," 5 May 2017
Take the Frothy Beer Trek, a hike through the woods, prairies, and wetlands of Riveredge and sample beers at stations along way.

— kathy flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A summer (and fall) guide to beer and cider festivals," 14 May 2018
Like many iconic Illinois destinations, The Children’s Farm and the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center have their roots deep in the days of one-room log cabins, prairies and pristine nature.

— nancy coltun webster, chicagotribune.com, "Nature fun abounds at The Children’s Farm, Little Red Schoolhouse," 13 May 2018

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