prairie

noun

prai·​rie ˈprer-ē 

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

Synonyms of prairie

• steppe
• plain
• grassland
• savanna
• pampa
• meadow
• veld

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

The Los Angeles man was charged with one count of misdemeanor firing timber or prairie lands, which is punishable by up to 6 months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026

The cross-country route carries passengers through the forests and lakes of northern Ontario, the prairies of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and into the dramatic mountain landscapes of Alberta and British Columbia. — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026

The swamp's prairies are vast, watery expanses dotted with floating islands and stands of cypress and other trees. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026

More than 600 acres of natural prairie are dedicated to this Pulitzer Prize-winning author who grew up in Nebraska. — J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, 20 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing prairie

• prairie chicken
• prairie dog
• prairie schooner
• prairie soil
• prairie wolf
• short-grass prairie
• tallgrass prairie

Rhymes for prairie

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

prairie

noun

prai·​rie ˈpre(ə)r-ē 

: a large area of level or rolling grassland