# graze

/ˈɡɹeɪz/ (US) · /ɡɹˈeɪz/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/graze
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

to eat grass or other plants in a field. You use this when talking about animals like cows or sheep, or when you eat small amounts of food throughout the day.

For teachers: to feed on growing herbage, such as grass or pasture. When applied to humans, it describes the habit of eating small, frequent snacks rather than structured meals.

## Examples

- The sheep graze peacefully in the green field.
- Instead of eating a full lunch, she prefers to graze on healthy snacks throughout the afternoon.
- The cattle were permitted to graze across the common land, a practice that maintained the grass height and supported the local ecosystem's biodiversity.

## Usage notes

- Intransitive when describing the general act of feeding; transitive when specifying the land being fed upon.

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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.