Definition

1. Noun:
   • A piece of grassland, especially one used for hay: A meadow is a field where grass or other plants (like alfalfa) are grown, typically to be cut and dried as hay for animal feed.
   • A low-lying, often moist, area of grassland: It can also refer to a natural, open area of grassland, often found near rivers or in valleys, which may be filled with wildflowers.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The cows were grazing peacefully in the meadow.
  • They mowed the meadow in late summer to make hay for the winter.
  • The mountain meadow was covered in colorful wildflowers.

Advanced Usage

• "Water meadow": A meadow that is periodically flooded by a stream or river, making the land fertile.
  • The water meadows along the river are important for biodiversity.
• "Alpine meadow": A high-altitude meadow found in mountainous regions.
  • We hiked up to an alpine meadow with stunning views.

Variants and Related Words

• Meadowlark (n): A type of North American songbird often found in meadows.
  • The call of the meadowlark is a familiar sound in the prairie.
• Meadowsweet (n): A wild plant with creamy-white flowers that commonly grows in damp meadows.
  • Meadowsweet was once used to flavor mead and medicines.

Synonyms

• Field: An area of open land, especially one planted with crops or pasture.
• Pasture: Land covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals.
• Lea (poetic/literary): An open area of grassy or arable land.

Related Phrases

• "Meadow mouse": Another name for a vole, a small rodent that lives in fields and meadows.
  • The meadow mouse builds intricate tunnel systems.
• "Meadow saffron": A fall-blooming plant also known as autumn crocus, which grows in meadows. (Note: It is poisonous.)
  • Meadow saffron adds a splash of purple to the autumn meadow.

Related Idioms

• "To be let out to meadow": (An older, less common phrase) To be allowed to rest or graze freely, like an animal put out to pasture.
  • After years of hard work, he felt he was finally being let out to meadow.

Noun

1. a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay