mulch

noun

ˈməlch How to pronounce mulch (audio)
ˈməlsh
: a protective covering (as of sawdust, compost, or paper) spread or left on the ground to reduce evaporation, maintain even soil temperature, prevent erosion, control weeds, enrich the soil, or keep fruit (such as strawberries) clean
mulch transitive verb

Examples of mulch in a Sentence

She spread some mulch around the plants.
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.
Instead of flammable mulch like bark or wood chips, use lava stone or coarse gravel around any shrubbery that is within 5 feet of the structure. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 In the first three years, combustible materials like firewood, dead leaves, branches, mulch and wood chips would have to be cleared 5 feet around homes. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 Maintain an adequate layer of mulch By late summer, the three-inch layer of straw mulch applied to many vegetable gardens in early spring may have thinned considerably. — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 The rules ban all plants within a foot of the home and require the first five feet around homes to be free of combustible materials such as firewood, fallen leaves and branches, and mulch or wood chips. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mulch

Word History

Etymology

perhaps irregular from English dialect melch soft, mild

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mulch was in 1657

Phrases Containing mulch

Rhymes for mulch

See All Rhymes for mulch

Browse Nearby Words

mulberry whelk
mulch
mulcher
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mulch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mulch. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

mulch

1 of 2 noun
ˈməlch
: a covering (as of straw or sawdust) spread over the ground to protect the roots of plants from heat, cold, or evaporation, prevent soil loss, control weeds, enrich the soil, or keep fruit (as strawberries) clean

mulch

2 of 2 verb
: to cover with mulch

More from Merriam-Webster on mulch

Nglish: Translation of mulch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mulch

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