often attributive
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
Examples of prairie in a Sentence
Millions of buffalo once roamed the prairies.
The train tracks extend over miles of prairie.
Recent Examples on the Web
With the prairie getting plowed under and replaced almost completely by farmland, the prairie chicken lost its habitat, and is nearly extinct in Illinois.
—
Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
The researchers also analyzed tiny plant remains fossilizing in the cubs’ stomachs, revealing that the wolves lived in a dry, somewhat mild environment that could support diverse vegetation including prairie grasses, willows and shrub leaves.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Sustainability: Over the past three years, with the help of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, more than three acres of turf grass has undergone prairie restoration, with the process of converting an additional four acres started in 2024.
—Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 13 June 2025
The perennial Maximilian sunflower, which is native to United States prairies, will flower as the summer progresses.
—Jane L. Levere, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prairie
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Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
The researchers also analyzed tiny plant remains fossilizing in the cubs’ stomachs, revealing that the wolves lived in a dry, somewhat mild environment that could support diverse vegetation including prairie grasses, willows and shrub leaves.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Sustainability: Over the past three years, with the help of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, more than three acres of turf grass has undergone prairie restoration, with the process of converting an additional four acres started in 2024.
—Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 13 June 2025
The perennial Maximilian sunflower, which is native to United States prairies, will flower as the summer progresses.
—Jane L. Levere, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prairie
Cite this Entry
“Prairie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prairie. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prairie
noun
prai·rie
ˈpre(ə)r-ē 
: a large area of level or rolling grassland
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