silage

noun

si·​lage ˈsī-lij How to pronounce silage (audio)
: fodder (such as hay or corn) converted into succulent feed for livestock through processes of anaerobic bacterial fermentation (as in a silo)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Esther Olu: Black Opium had long-lasting power (8+ hours) and great silage. ELLE, 24 May 2023 Corn harvested for silage reached 91% complete, 24 days ahead of last year and 15 days ahead of normal. Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, 5 Oct. 2020 But a whopping 86 percent of water is consumed by crop irrigation, including the 32 percent of water used to grow crops that humans don’t even eat directly, such as alfalfa, hay, and corn silage for livestock. Noah Gordon, The New Republic, 29 Mar. 2023 Corn silage is moved at a Utah farm. Ryan Dezember, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2022 Grana Padano allows the use of silage in the feed. John Mariani, Forbes, 13 May 2021 Other traces of the property’s long history include a landmark silo that held silage during the farm’s hog-raising days and the 1913 farmhouse still occupied by the Hoffmans, who as much as growing grapes and making wine love to share the property with visitors. Mike Dunne, SFChronicle.com, 15 June 2020 Angus cattle hurried up a pasture trail on Steve and Tara Agan’s farm about an hour south of Des Moines on Friday, eager to feast on silage and alfalfa. Jamie Mcgee, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2022 As they were shown around a Welsh farm by Gary and Jess Yeomans, Prince William spotted a robot silage sweeper in one of the barns. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 21 Oct. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'silage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

short for ensilage

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of silage was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near silage

Cite this Entry

“Silage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/silage. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

silage

noun
si·​lage ˈsī-lij How to pronounce silage (audio)
: fodder (as hay or corn) fermented (as in a silo) to produce a rich moist feed for livestock

More from Merriam-Webster on silage

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