arable

[ar-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of producing crops; suitable for farming; suited to the plow and for tillage.

   arable land; arable soil.

noun

1. land that can be or is cultivated.

arable

/ ˈærəbəl /

adjective

1. (of land) being or capable of being tilled for the production of crops

2. of, relating to, or using such land

   arable farming

noun

1. arable land or farming

Other Word Forms

• arability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arable¹

1375–1425; < Latin arābilis, equivalent to arā ( re ) to plow + -bilis -ble; replacing late Middle English erable, equivalent to er ( en ) to plow ( Old English erian ) + -able -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of arable¹

C15: from Latin arābilis that can be ploughed, from arāre to plough

Example Sentences

Brazil overtook the U.S. as the world’s top soybean exporter over a decade ago, helped by an influx of investment and lots of arable land.

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And the overall decline is why my husband and I decided to create our own wildflower meadow from an overgrown arable field.

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Gloucestershire arable and livestock farmer David Barton said he felt "completely abandoned" by the move.

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Last month's trade deal with India is being looked upon as having growth potential for Scotland's arable farmers.

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Johnny Tuft, a fourth generation farmer from Ballinderry in County Antrim, farms a mixed farm with beef cattle, sheep, arable and poultry units and is often exposed to dust particles.

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