farming 1 of 3

Definition of farmingnext
as in agriculture
the science or occupation of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock since an ancestor settled there in the 19th century, farming has been the only occupation for six generations of the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

farming

2 of 3

adjective

as in agricultural
engaged in or concerned with agriculture years of drought had a devastating impact on the region's farming communities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

farming

3 of 3

verb

present participle of farm
as in cultivating
to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops on we're planning on farming 50 acres the first year

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of farming
Noun
Asia depends on shipments through the Strait of Hormuz for more than 80% of its oil and natural gas, to say nothing of less prominent commodities such as the helium necessary for chipmaking, the naphtha needed for manufacturing cars, and fertilizers needed for farming. Clay Chandler, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026 Proponents describe the measure as preventing states from dictating farming practices beyond their borders. John Cleveland, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Some of those people may be professional myrmecologists (scientists who specialize in the study of ants) and fourmiculture (ant-farming) enthusiasts. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
He was born in 1919, the seventh of 10 children of Strother and Vallie Lee Ficklin who made a living farming their land, raising chickens, and making molasses. John Wrory Ficklin, Time, 11 Feb. 2026 In my view, many of those landowners do not want to continue farming. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for farming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for farming
Noun
  • This pattern isn’t unique to bats, the authors suggested, and likely applies to biodiversity loss and its impacts on agriculture broadly.
    Leah Campbell, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
  • For a state like Illinois — a global hub for manufacturing and agriculture — these federal trade wars act as a direct anchor on our economy.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The agricultural chemical has been central to multibillion-dollar lawsuits and settlements due to its links to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other cancers.
    Thomas Heaton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Today, nearly 500 acres are dedicated to trees and shrubs, with an additional 300 acres in agricultural farming.
    Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers studied her cells by cultivating them in a laboratory and saw indications of a selective advantage, with healthy skin cells favored over diseased ones.
    Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Beyond his many business achievements, Goldschmied took pride in mentoring emerging talent and cultivating enduring relationships across the fashion world.
    SJ STAFF, Footwear News, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Building on Ikeno and Davies’ mention of Japan’s agrarian past in their cultural study, Hayama explained to me how this instilled a sense of quiet determination amidst struggles.
    Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Few architects are better qualified to connect today’s city kids with their agrarian heritage.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There are likely between 20,000 and 50,000 species of mycorrhizal fungi, each with its own tricks for tapping into different plants and harvesting nutrients using enzymes, acids, and water-mining structures.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Add garlic to the garden for more than harvesting the delicious bulbs.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends planting mostly root vegetables, including parsnips and turnips, and leafy greens such as kale and arugula in early April.
    McClatchy, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2026
  • As mentioned above, the best way to keep these plants from taking over your yard (and others) is to avoid planting invasive species in the first place.
    Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Farming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/farming. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on farming

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster