lawn

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈlȯn  ˈlän 

1

archaic : an open space between woods : glade

2

: ground (as around a house or in a garden or park) that is covered with grass and is kept mowed

3

: a relatively even layer of bacteria covering the surface of a culture medium

lawn adjective

or lawny

ˈlȯ-nē 

ˈlä-

lawn

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a fine sheer linen or cotton fabric of plain weave that is thinner than cambric

lawny adjective

Examples of lawn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the quad near Doheny Library, where the main-stage commencement traditionally happens, the lawns were instead sliced by fences that demarcated lounges and tables for specific graduation events. —Angie Orellana Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024

For two weeks in April and May, a protest encampment took over a central lawn on campus, spurring protests at schools around the country aimed at pressuring universities to divest funds from companies connected to the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. —Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 8 May 2024

The spokesperson told Fortune the school’s goal was to reach a resolution with the protestors that would dismantle the encampment on the lawn, but its moves to authorize the police to do so has now drawn criticism from politicians, civil rights groups and other academics. —Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 7 May 2024

But others managed to clear their lawns of tents without police intervention — through negotiations with student organizers. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 7 May 2024

Tall grasses grow deeper roots that absorb more water from soil, so less water is needed to effectively quench your lawn's thirst. —Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 7 May 2024

With three championship golf courses, an outdoor infinity pool, a celebrated tennis program, archery, lawn games, and pickleball courts, summer vacations at The Broadmoor are memorable and supremely relaxing. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2024

So don’t be surprised if the plotting is fun but less tidy than your average suburban lawn. —Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 4 May 2024

No Mow May is a campaign that encourages people to refrain from mowing their lawns during May. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English launde, from Anglo-French land, launde wood, unwooded field, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish lann land — more at land

Noun (2)

Middle English lawne, laund, probably from Laon, France

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lawn

• lawn bowling
• lawn chair
• lawn mower
• lawn party
• lawn tennis
• mow the lawn

Kids Definition

lawn

1 of 2 noun

ˈlȯn 

ˈlän

: ground covered with grass that is kept mowed

lawn

2 of 2 noun

: a fine sheer linen or cotton fabric

Etymology

Noun

Middle English launde "an open space between woods," from early French lande "land overgrown with shrubs"; of Celtic origin

Noun

Middle English lawn "a sheer fabric," probably from Laon, a town in France where linen was made

Medical Definition

lawn

noun

ˈlȯn, ˈlän 

: a relatively even layer of bacteria covering the surface of a culture medium