agriculture

noun

ag·​ri·​cul·​ture ˈa-gri-ˌkəl-chər 

: the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products

cleared the land to use it for agriculture

agriculturist

ˌa-gri-ˈkəl-ch(ə-)rist 

noun

or agriculturalist

ˌa-gri-ˈkəl-ch(ə-)rə-list 

Synonyms

• farming
• husbandry

Examples of agriculture in a Sentence

They cleared the land to use it for agriculture.

the forest was cut down, and the land given over to agriculture

Recent Examples on the Web

The 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA) increased policy focus on water conservation, resulting in less water being used in agriculture, so that more could be provided to urban areas like San Diego. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

By 2050, Tanzania may experience significant drought and more intense flooding, which could lead to a widespread decrease in agriculture and a lowering of the gross domestic product by up to 18 percent. —New York Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Last week, the world’s most influential voices in agriculture, sustainability, and anti-hunger advocacy gathered in Iowa for the Borlaug Dialogue, the flagship event of the World Food Prize. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Kennedy has also been sizing himself up for another position in a potential Trump cabinet: agriculture secretary. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin agricultura, from ager field + cultura cultivation — more at acre, culture

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing agriculture

• community-supported agriculture

Kids Definition

agriculture

noun

ag·​ri·​cul·​ture ˈag-ri-ˌkəl-chər 

: the science or occupation of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock : farming

agriculturist

ˌag-ri-ˈkəlch- (ə-)rəst 

noun

or agriculturalist

-(ə-)rə-ləst