grassland

American  

[gras-land, grahs-] / ˈgræsˌlænd, ˈgrɑs- /

noun

1. an area, as a prairie, in which the natural vegetation consists largely of perennial grasses, characteristic of subhumid and semiarid climates.

2. land with grass growing on it, especially farmland used for grazing or pasture.

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grassland British  

/ ˈɡrɑːsˌlænd /

noun

1. land, such as a prairie, on which grass predominates

2. land reserved for natural grass pasture

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grassland Scientific  

/ grăs′lănd′ /

1. An area that is dominated by grass or grasslike vegetation. Moderately dry climatic conditions and seasonal disturbances, such as floods or fires, are generally conducive to the growth of grasses and prohibitive of that of trees and shrubs. Grasslands are found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions and typically occupy regions between forests and deserts.

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Etymology

Origin of grassland

An Americanism dating back to 1675–85; grass + land

Example Sentences

As wildfires move across forests, grasslands, and peatlands, they release large amounts of gases and particles into the air.

From Science Daily

For example, Olduvai Gorge Bed in Tanzania has been described as freshwater woodland and grassland, while the Upper Bed reflects drier woodlands and marshy areas.

From Science Daily

Silva Gu's eyes dart back and forth across miles of tall grassland, scouring it for signs of life in the darkness.

From BBC

A special mix of seeds from the MSB are being sown to help restore the rare chalk grasslands there.

From BBC

The zoo said fewer than 17,000 maned pups survive in the wild across South American grasslands and said every birth was "significant for conservation efforts".

From BBC

Related Words

• pasture
• plain
• prairie
• savanna
• steppe