Definition

Noun: A smallholding is a piece of agricultural land, typically under 50 acres in size, that is owned or rented for the purpose of cultivation or small-scale farming. It is smaller than a standard farm.

Usage

A "smallholding" refers specifically to the land parcel itself. It is used to describe a property used for farming, gardening, or raising animals on a modest, often self-sufficient or supplementary income scale. * They bought a smallholding in the countryside to grow vegetables and keep chickens. * The family has lived on and worked the same smallholding for three generations. * The policy provides grants for new farmers starting on smallholdings.

Advanced Usage

• "To run/work a smallholding": This phrase describes the activity of managing the small farm.
  • After retiring, they moved to Wales to run a smallholding.
• The term can imply a lifestyle choice focused on self-sufficiency, hobby farming, or organic production, as opposed to large-scale commercial agriculture.

Variants and Related Words

• Smallholder (noun): The person who owns or rents and works a smallholding.
  • The local market is supplied by several smallholders from the region.
• Holding (noun): A more general term for a piece of land held by an owner, which can be of any size.
• Small-scale farm / Homestead: These are near-synonyms, though "homestead" often includes the dwelling and implies a family home.

Synonyms

• Small farm
• Croft (used specifically in Scotland)
• Small acreage
• Plot of land

Antonyms

• Large estate
• Plantation
• Agribusiness
• Ranch

Related Phrases

• Subsistence farming: A type of farming often associated with smallholdings, where most crops are grown for the farmer's own family rather than for sale.
• Market garden: A type of smallholding focused on intensive cultivation of vegetables and fruits for sale.

Noun

1. a piece of land under 50 acres that is sold or let to someone for cultivation