meadow

noun

mead·​ow ˈme-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce meadow (audio)
Synonyms of meadownext
often attributive
: land that is covered or mostly covered with grass
wildflowers blooming in the meadow
especially : a tract of moist low-lying usually level grassland
meadowy
ˈme-də-wē How to pronounce meadow (audio)
adjective

Examples of meadow 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.
Much of Corona, Flushing, Elmhurst, and East Elmhurst were built on low-lying marshes and meadows along the once four-mile-long Flushing River. — Len Maniace, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 Many of the region's signature experiences are found in the months between–on ridgeline paths and in meadows that flower for a few weeks and vanish. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 Eastern box turtles are native to New Jersey, and tend to prefer to live near woodlands and meadows, according to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 There is a seasonal meadow of two dozen native wildflowers, and a year-round spectacle of sandaster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia) commandeers much of the front yard. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meadow

Word History

Etymology

Middle English medwe, medowe "grassland kept for hay, pasture field," going back to Old English mǣdwe, oblique singular case form of mǣd, going back to West Germanic *mēdwō- (whence also Old Frisian mēde "pasture, meadow," Middle Dutch māde, mēde), noun derivative from the verbal base *mē- "reap, mow" — more at mow entry 2

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meadow was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing meadow

Rhymes for meadow

See All Rhymes for meadow

Browse Nearby Words

Mead, Lake
meadow
meadow ant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meadow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meadow. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

meadow

noun
mead·​ow ˈmed-ō How to pronounce meadow (audio)
: an area of moist low usually level grassland

More from Merriam-Webster on meadow

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for meadow

Nglish: Translation of meadow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meadow

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