# harvesting

/ˈhɑɹvəstɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈɑːvɪstɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/harvesting
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. gathering crops

noun · CEFR B2

the act of collecting mature crops from the fields.

For teachers: the process of gathering a mature crop from the land. Uncountable in its general sense, though countable when referring to specific instances.

- The harvesting of the wheat usually begins in late summer.
- Mechanical harvesting has significantly reduced the labour required to bring in the corn crop before the first autumn rains arrive.

### 2. collecting resources

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the act of collecting any useful resource, such as data or energy.

For teachers: the systematic collection of resources, often used in technical contexts regarding data, energy, or biological materials.

- The company was criticised for its secret harvesting of user data.
- Energy harvesting from ambient vibrations provides a sustainable power source for small wireless sensors in industrial environments.

## Examples

- The harvesting of the wheat begins in late summer.
- Modern technology has made the harvesting of solar energy much more efficient for homeowners in sunny climates.
- While traditional harvesting relied on manual labor and seasonal cycles, industrial agriculture utilizes specialized machinery to maximize yield and minimize the time crops spend exposed to the elements.

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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.