arable

American  

[ar-uh-buhl] / ˈær ə bəl /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of arable

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

Example Sentences

As spring weather finally comes to Wiltshire's arable fields, farmers are getting busy preparing to plant.

From BBC

Farmers growing arable crops such as wheat and barley could be better protected from the initial rise in fertiliser prices, as they generally buy in advance.

From BBC

Williamson's farm, on which he grows a variety of crops including wheat, barley, and oats, has been "fortunate," as like many arable farms, they bought most of the fertiliser needed for this season last year.

From BBC

James Winslade, a beef and arable farmer from Somerset, has seen more than 90% of his farm submerged in the recent rains, and said he is days away from losing his crops to rot.

From BBC

Just four percent of arable land is farmed in Congo-Brazzaville, which is largely covered in forest.

From Barron's