fescue

noun

fes·​cue ˈfe-(ˌ)skyü How to pronounce fescue (audio)
1
: a small pointer (such as a stick) used to point out letters to children learning to read
2
: any of a genus (Festuca) of tufted perennial grasses with panicled spikelets

Examples of fescue 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.
That meant an August 2023 wedding celebration held at their home was the first time anyone stepped foot on the fescue. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 These types of grasses include Kentucky bluegrass and fescue. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 26 July 2026 But the weather around Royal Birkdale has seemingly taken the teeth out of the fescue that comprises most of the rough at this links course, and the best players in the world are all strong enough to hack through it with ease. — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Cool-season grasses such as fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass do not commonly form thick thatch layers in Southern landscapes. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fescue

Word History

Etymology

Middle English festu stalk, straw, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin festucum, from Latin festuca

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fescue was in 1589

Phrases Containing fescue

Rhymes for fescue

See All Rhymes for fescue

Browse Nearby Words

fescennine
fescue
fescue foot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fescue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fescue. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fescue

noun
fes·​cue ˈfes-(ˌ)kyü How to pronounce fescue (audio)
: a tufted perennial grass

More from Merriam-Webster on fescue

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fescue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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