ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grassland

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ˈɡɹæsˌɫænd// UK //ɡɹˈɑːslənd// grass·land

n. a large area of open land where the main plants are grasses rather than trees or bushes.

n. an extensive area of land dominated by grasses and other non-woody plants, typically found in regions with insufficient rainfall to support forest growth.


SIMPLE

Wild horses run across the open grassland.

CONTEXTUAL

The vast African grassland provides a rich habitat for many different species of large mammals.

COMPLEX

Conservationists are working to restore the native grassland, which has been significantly reduced by decades of intensive agricultural expansion and urban development.

Origin

From grass + land. Compare Dutch grasland (“grassland”), Faroese graslendi (“grassland”), Icelandic graslendi (“grassland”). Compare also Old English græsmolde (“grassland”).

Usage

Often used in the plural ('grasslands') when referring to specific ecological regions or global biomes.

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