orchard

American  

[awr-cherd] / ˈɔr tʃərd /

noun

orchards plural

1. an area of land devoted to the cultivation of fruit or nut trees.

2. a group or collection of such trees.

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orchard British  

/ ˈɔːtʃəd /

noun

1. an area of land devoted to the cultivation of fruit trees

2. a collection of fruit trees especially cultivated

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• orchards
  plural

Etymology

Origin of orchard

before 900; Middle English orch ( i ) ard, Old English orceard; replacing ortyard, Middle English ortyerd, Old English ortigeard (compare Gothic aurtigards garden), equivalent to ort- (combining form akin to wort ²; later identified with Latin hortus garden) + geard yard ²

Explanation

An orchard is a tree garden. If you visit New England in autumn, make sure to stop by a local apple orchard and pick a few baskets to take home. From the Old English orceard blossomed our modern-day spelling of orchard, a noun meaning “fruit farm.” But you can also use the word figuratively to refer to something filled with treats or precious content. The US Congregational minister, Henry Ward Beecher, was famous for having proclaimed, “A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

orchard orchards

In Clovis, the local agency hasn’t yet imposed pumping restrictions, but farmer Susie Borneman Silva said she expects limits soon and doesn’t know how it will affect her small almond orchard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

Kazaryan planted his orchard in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union when farmland was distributed to private owners.

From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026

But traders say supply is lower this year and prices have risen as a result, with global factors linked to the Middle East affecting the journey from orchard to market.

From BBC ● May 13, 2026

Other impressive features on the grounds include a saltwater pool; vegetable gardens; a wildflower meadow; an orchard of cherry, apple, and peach trees; and a sports court—ideal for Paul’s training.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 8, 2026

If I’m in the orchard, the older apple trees will tell me, “You’d better get a move on, Ida B” or “Go on now and see what your daddy wants.”

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan

While some orchards experienced irregular rainfall during flowering, other producers recorded "relatively normal harvests", he adds.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

In the mango-growing heartland of Tando Allahyar, Mohammad Shakeel manages orchards that grow the golden-yellow Sindhri variety, named after the province where it flourishes and famous for its rich flavour and juicy pulp.

From Barron's ● Jun. 21, 2026

Lopez will have ample opportunity to enjoy the verdant surroundings in Hidden Hills, courtesy of her new home’s “lushly landscaped private grounds,” which include “spectacular orchards with multiple fruit trees,” as well as staggering views.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026

Now he would risk only one or two orchards at most, for fear of RSF harassment.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026

The song described the home that they had lost forever: the orchards, the cool lakes, the warm forests, the green fields.

From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin

Related Words

• garden
• plantation