# hay

/ˈheɪ/ (US) · /hˈeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hay
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. animal food

noun · CEFR A2

grass that is cut and dried so it can be used as food for animals.

For teachers: grass or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder.

- The farmer stored the dry hay in the barn to feed the cows during winter.
- After the harvest, the fields were dotted with large round bales of hay waiting to be transported to the livestock pens.

### 2. to harvest grass

verb · CEFR B2

to cut and dry grass to make it into food for animals.

For teachers: to cut, dry, and store grass or similar plants for use as fodder.

- They spent the whole weekend haying while the weather was hot and dry.
- The agricultural workers began haying the north meadow as soon as the morning dew had evaporated from the stalks.

### 3. marijuana

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a slang word for the drug marijuana.

For teachers: a slang term for cannabis or marijuana, typically used in informal or underground contexts.

- He was caught with a small bag of hay in his pocket.
- The local authorities reported an increase in the illegal distribution of hay within the downtown district.

## Examples

- The farmer moved the heavy bales of hay into the barn.
- During the winter months when fresh grass is scarce, horses rely on high-quality hay for their daily nutrition.
- The sudden summer rainstorm threatened to ruin the freshly cut grass before it could be properly dried and gathered as hay for the winter stores.

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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.