prairie

noun

prai·​rie ˈprer-ē How to pronounce prairie (audio)
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
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.
Earthworms are essential for organic matter decomposition and soil health in gardens, forests, prairies and farmland. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 The tribe plans projects to create healthier stream habitats for fish, and to restore meadows and prairies. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025 Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival August 22-23, 2025 Watch the stars swim above a sea of multi-hued rock and prairie grasses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park with the annual Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival. Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 30 May 2025 Sea of Grass is a natural expansion of her reporting on the vanishing prairie and the consequences of intensive agriculture. Dave Hage, Literary Hub, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for prairie

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French praierie, from Vulgar Latin *prataria, from Latin pratum meadow

First Known Use

circa 1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prairie was circa 1682

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prairie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prairie. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

prairie

noun
prai·​rie ˈpre(ə)r-ē How to pronounce prairie (audio)
: a large area of level or rolling grassland

More from Merriam-Webster on prairie

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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