lawn
1 Americannoun
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a stretch of open, grass-covered land, especially one closely mowed, as near a house, on an estate, or in a park.
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Archaic. a glade.
noun
noun
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a flat and usually level area of mown and cultivated grass
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an archaic or dialect word for glade
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lawn1
1250–1300; Middle English launde < Middle French lande glade < Celtic; compare Breton lann heath. See land
Origin of lawn2
1375–1425; late Middle English lawnd, laun, perhaps named after Laon, where linen-making once flourished
Explanation
A lawn is an area of ground that's planted with grass. Your next-door neighbor might be so overly proud of his tidy lawn that he stands on it, glaring at the dandelions growing in yours. Most lawns are neatly mowed — a lawn that's allowed to grow tall might more accurately be called a field, especially if there are weeds or wildflowers mixed in with the grass. It's difficult to grow a lawn in places that don't get much rain, since it needs to be watered regularly to stay green and lush. Lawn was laune in the 1500s, meaning "open space between the woods," from the Old French lande, "heath, moor, or clearing."
Vocabulary lists containing lawn
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dame Mary also said her two spaniels had been trained to stay off the lawn and flower beds.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
A sizable firepit in the yard itself looks tailor-made for family game nights or s’mores sessions, and is surrounded by a lush green lawn and elegant landscaping.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
But the event has raised eyebrows, both for the cost and for its location on the historic White House lawn.
From Barron's • May 26, 2026
“It gives back to our neighbors and helps make sure the grid is sustainable,” said John, 52, who works in the lawn care business launched by his parents.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
Between briefings on Cuba, Kennedy slipped out to the lawn to toss a baseball.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
