Word
meadow
Phoneticsmead·ow
US/ˈmɛˌdoʊ/
UK/mˈɛdəʊ/
Definitions
01grassy field
n. a field of grass, often with wild flowers, where animals might eat or where grass is grown for hay.
n. a field or pasture covered with grass and often wildflowers, typically used for grazing livestock or for mowing to produce hay.
“The children ran through the meadow picking yellow buttercups in the summer sun.”
“The valley was filled with lush alpine meadows that remained vibrant until the first heavy frosts of late October.”
Usage
Often used in literary or descriptive contexts to evoke a sense of natural beauty.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse 'meadow' with 'field'; explain that a meadow specifically implies grass and wildflowers, whereas a field could be for any crop like corn or wheat.
02low-lying wetland
n. low, flat land near a river that is often wet and covered in long grass.
n. low-lying, moist grassland, especially near a river or in a marshy area.
“The water meadow flooded every winter when the river rose above its banks.”
“Ecologists are working to restore the coastal meadows, which provide a vital habitat for migratory wading birds.”
Technical
Usage
Frequently appears in compound forms like 'water meadow'.
Teaching tip
This sense is more technical and specific to geography or ecology.
Idioms
in Dickie's meadow — in trouble, in a predicament, in a difficult situation
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/meadow