forage

1 of 2

noun

for·​age ˈfȯr-ij 

ˈfär-

1

: food for animals especially when taken by browsing or grazing

The grass serves as forage for livestock.

2

[forage entry 2] : the act of foraging : search for provisions

They made forages to find food.

forage

2 of 2

verb

foraged; foraging

transitive verb

1

: to strip of provisions : collect forage from

2

: to secure by foraging

foraged a chicken for the feast

intransitive verb

1

: to wander in search of forage or food

2

: to secure forage (as for horses) by stripping the country

3

: ravage, raid

4

: to make a search : rummage

forager noun

Synonyms

Verb

• browse
• graze
• pasture
• rustle

Examples of forage in a Sentence

Noun

The grass serves as forage for livestock.

Verb

The cows were foraging in the pasture.

He had to forage for firewood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While many can be found at the local markets, some are much trickier, requiring you to fish or forage. —Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 14 Oct. 2024

Earlier this month, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission approved a plan to use hunter funds to compensate ranchers for forage eaten by elk. —Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2024

Verb

Share [Findings] Onshore wind turbines severely deter German bats from foraging. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

Take advantage of the many activities on hand — including horseback riding, foraging, cooking classes, e-bike riding, and tennis — or hang by the pool with a panini and a drink by your side. —Peter Terzian, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from fuerre, foer fodder, straw, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder — more at food

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

forage

1 of 2 noun

for·​age ˈfȯr-ij 

ˈfär-

1

: food (as pasture) for browsing or grazing animals

2

: a search for food or supplies

forage

2 of 2 verb

foraged; foraging

1

: browse entry 1 sense 1, graze

2

: to make a search especially for food or supplies

forage for grain

forage for firewood

3

: to get by foraging

forager noun