galleta

noun

ga·​lle·​ta gə-ˈye-tə How to pronounce galleta (audio)
gī-ˈe-tə
: either of two perennial grasses (Hilaria rigida and H. jamesii synonym Pleuraphis rigida and P. jamesii) chiefly of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico used for forage

Examples of galleta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Specific to Arizona, galleta, sand dropseed, Indian rice grass and grama grass are better for growing during a drought than fescue, rye and Kentucky bluegrass, Hauser says. Washington Post, 7 July 2021 Other recent blooms include a native grass called needle grama, brittle creosote, desert senna, Acton encelia or brittlebush, and big galleta grass. Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2021 Some grass species in these habitats include red oat grass and Rhodes grass in tropical savannas, and purple needlegrass and galleta in temperate areas. Christina Nunez, National Geographic, 22 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from American Spanish (California, Arizona, New Mexico) galleta, guieta, of unknown origin

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of galleta was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near galleta

Cite this Entry

“Galleta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galleta. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on galleta

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!