rancho

[ ran-choh, rahn-; Spanish rahn-chaw ]

/ ˈræn tʃoʊ, ˈrɑn-; Spanish ˈrɑn tʃɔ /

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noun, plural ran·chos

[ran-chohz; Spanish rahn-chaws]. /ˈræn tʃoʊz; Spanish ˈrɑn tʃɔs/.

a ranch.

a hut or collection of huts for herders, laborers, or travelers.

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Origin of rancho

An Americanism first recorded in 1800–10; from Latin American Spanish: “small farm, camp” (Spanish: “camp”), from Old Spanish rancharse “to lodge, be billeted,” from Middle French (se) ranger “to be arranged, be installed”; see range

Words nearby rancho

ranchette, ranch house, Ranchi, ranchman, ranch mink, rancho, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Palos Verdes, rancid, rancor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rancho in a sentence

I had to drive from Los Angeles to Rancho Mirage that afternoon—a four-hour roundtrip.
Why Grown-Ups Should Give One Direction a Chance|Andrew Romano|November 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As detectives began closing in on Viens, he attempted to commit suicide by diving feet first off a Rancho Palos Verdes cliff.
David Viens Murder Trial: Chef Says He Slow-Cooked His Wife’s Body|Christine Pelisek|September 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
After her recovery, Ford started the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California.
Betty Ford Dies at 93||July 9, 2011|DAILY BEAST
They danced at the Rancho Deluxe wrap party, but nothing came of it.
A True Hollywood Love Story|Rebecca Dana|March 10, 2010|DAILY BEAST

The 19-year-old Jou, an aspiring doctor, often tutored and volunteered at charities around her Rancho Santa Margarita home.
The Other Craigslist Killer|Jennifer Wadsworth|May 18, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Marched early and at nine o'clock arrived at a Rancho on fine running water; course east and west.
The Expeditions of Zebulon Montgomery Pike, Volume II (of 3)|Elliott Coues
Stranger, you freeze to this: there ain't no kinder gin-palace, Nor no variety-show lays over a man's own rancho.
The Book of Humorous Verse|Various
You are welcome, gentlemen, to the rancho of the Blessed Fisherman.
Two Men of Sandy Bar|Bret Harte
Well, if he has to lay up for a week or two, the rancho won't suffer.
Two Men of Sandy Bar|Bret Harte
Diego—dismissed from the rancho of Don Jose for drunkenness!
Two Men of Sandy Bar|Bret Harte

British Dictionary definitions for rancho

rancho

/ (ˈrɑːntʃəʊ) /

noun plural -chos Southwestern US

a hut or group of huts for housing ranch workers

another word for ranch

Word Origin for rancho

C17: from Mexican Spanish: camp, from Old Spanish ranchar to be billeted, from Old French ranger to place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012