Noun lives on a cattle ranch in Texas that's as big as the whole state of Rhode Island Verb My grandfather started ranching here 150 years ago. The family has ranched 10,000 acres here for the past 150 years. The family has been ranching cattle here for 150 years.

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.

Noun

The nonprofit recently bought the ranch for $10 million and is donating it to the state. — Sooji Nam, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 Shirley Jennett, a retired nurse, loves her spacious ranch-style house in Denver, with its big backyard and gazebo. — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Verb

The Hewett family has farmed, ranched, and built along the Clearwater River for more than 100 years, and three generations now produce some of the AVA’s most compelling reds, including Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Fountain said many of his ranching clients sell conservation easements to keep land in the family and use the proceeds to pay off debt or buy out younger family members who aren't interested in ranching. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ranch

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Mexican Spanish rancho small ranch, from Spanish, camp, hut & Spanish dialect, small farm, from Old Spanish ranchearse to take up quarters, from Middle French se ranger to take up a position, from ranger to set in a row — more at range

First Known Use

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1851, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of ranch was in 1831

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ranch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ranch. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

ranch

1 of 2 noun

ˈranch

: a place for the raising of livestock (as cattle, horses, or sheep) on range

: a farm devoted to a specific crop or kind of animal

a fruit ranch

a mink ranch

: ranch house sense 2

ranch

2 of 2 verb

: to live or work on a ranch

ranch

noun

verb

Synonyms of ranch

Examples of ranch in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on ranch

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

colloquial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes

ranch

noun

verb

Synonyms of ranch

Examples of ranch in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing ranch

Rhymes for ranch

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on ranch

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

colloquial

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes