# agrarian

/əˈɡɹɛɹiən/ (US) · /æɡɹˈeəɹiən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/agrarian
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

relating to farming and the way land is owned or used. It describes societies or laws that focus on growing food and managing fields.

For teachers: relating to cultivated land, the ownership of land, or the advancement of agricultural interests. Often describes societies whose economy is based primarily on farming.

## Examples

- The country is moving from an agrarian economy to an industrial one.
- The government introduced new agrarian reforms to help small farmers own the land they worked.
- The transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agrarian communities marked a fundamental shift in human social structure and the development of permanent settlements.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun like 'society', 'reform', or 'economy'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
