rural

adjective

ru·​ral ˈru̇r(-ə)l How to pronounce rural (audio)
ˈrər(-ə)l
Synonyms of ruralnext
: of or relating to the country, country people or life, or agriculture
rurality noun
rurally adverb

Examples of rural in a Sentence

She lives in a rural area. grew up in a rural community where more than half the people were farmers
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.
For years, Hyland has been interested in rural landscapes and their relationship to urbanization and climate change. Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026 Steep declines in timber harvests, meant to save Oregon’s last ancient forests, ripped open an urban-rural divide that still festers. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026 When tragedy strikes Bebo’s family, the teenagers escape to the mountains, opening a new chapter that involves an older mentor, Cora (Teofilo Torres), and the physical labor of rural life. Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026 Rubel asked Vander Woude what his plan was for the hospitals — namely rural health clinics — that would now be made to shoulder the brunt of the uninsured care for tens of thousands of low-income Idahoans poised to no longer have health coverage if his bill became law. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rural

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin ruralis, from rur-, rus open land — more at room

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rural was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rural. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

rural

adjective
ru·​ral ˈru̇r-əl How to pronounce rural (audio)
: of or relating to the country, country people or life, or agriculture

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