rural

adjective

ru·​ral ˈru̇r(-ə)l 

ˈrər(-ə)l

: of or relating to the country, country people or life, or agriculture

rurality

ru̇-ˈra-lə-tē 

noun

rurally

ˈru̇r-ə-lē 

ˈrər-

adverb

Synonyms

• bucolic
• country
• pastoral
• rustic
• rustical

Examples of rural in a Sentence

She lives in a rural area.

grew up in a rural community where more than half the people were farmers

Recent Examples on the Web

Pacific Gas & Electric was also considering outages for about 600 of its customers in rural Kern County, according to PG&E spokesperson Jeff Smith. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

While urban and rural development and climate change disturbances contribute to the problem, the expansion of large-scale agriculture poses the biggest threat to wetlands, according to the study. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Dec. 2024

This satellite will provide broadband internet and communications capability for public use facilities in Indonesia’s rural regions. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024

For years, many have been sounding the alarm about medical deserts—the lack of necessary healthcare access that those living in rural communities face. —Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin ruralis, from rur-, rus open land — more at room

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rural

• rural dean
• rural free delivery
• rural route

Kids Definition

rural

adjective

ru·​ral ˈru̇r-əl 

: of or relating to the country, country people or life, or agriculture