Holstein

noun

: any of a breed of large usually black-and-white dairy cattle originally from northern Holland and Friesland that produce large quantities of comparatively low-fat milk

Word History

Etymology

short for Holstein-Friesian

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Holstein was in 1865

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Cite this Entry

“Holstein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Holstein. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

Holstein

noun
Hol·​stein ˈhōl-ˌstēn How to pronounce Holstein (audio)
-ˌstīn
: any of a breed of large black-and-white dairy cattle producing large quantities of milk that is low in fat compared to the milk of other breeds

Geographical Definition

Holstein

geographical name

Hol·​stein ˈhōl-ˌstīn How to pronounce Holstein (audio)
-ˌstēn;
ˈhȯl-ˌshtīn
region of northern Germany south of the Jutland Peninsula; once a duchy of Denmark; became a part of Prussia in 1866; now part of the state of Schleswig-Holstein see schleswig-holstein

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