artificial turf

American  

noun

1. any of various synthetic, carpetlike materials made to resemble turf and used as a playing surface for football and baseball fields, to cover patios, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of artificial turf

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Which raises a key nuance in the debate between grass and artificial turf -- typically referred to by players as simply "turf."

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

When the New England Patriots team flew to California last weekend to prepare for the Super Bowl, crews wasted no time ripping up the artificial turf in their stadium back home.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

While groundskeepers in Europe can pamper pitches until they look like Augusta National, all of the U.S. stadiums hosting World Cup matches are designed for American football, which typically features artificial turf.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 27, 2025

All five are used by NFL teams and usually have artificial turf but will have real grass installed in time for the World Cup in order to meet Fifa requirements.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2025

By far his favorite, though, had been a field of artificial turf he’d played on at one away match.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John