ranch
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a very large farm, especially in the Americas, where animals like cattle, sheep, or horses are raised.
n.a large estate or farm used for the breeding and raising of livestock, particularly cattle or sheep.
Simple“The family owns a huge cattle ranch in Texas with thousands of animals.”
In context“The ranch spans several thousand acres of rugged terrain, requiring the staff to use off-road vehicles to monitor the herd effectively.”
UsageOften used as a countable noun for the land itself or an uncountable noun for the business.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a long, low house that is built all on one level.
n.a style of domestic architecture featuring a long, low profile and a single-storey floor plan.
Simple“They decided to buy a ranch because they didn't want to climb stairs.”
In context“The suburban development consisted mostly of mid-century ranches, each featuring an open-plan living area and large sliding glass doors.”
Synonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a creamy salad dressing made from buttermilk, garlic, and herbs.
n.a condiment or dipping sauce typically composed of buttermilk, salt, garlic, onion, and various herbs.
Simple“I usually order a side of ranch to dip my pizza crusts in.”
In context“The chef prepared a house-made ranch that was significantly thinner and more herb-forward than the bottled versions found in supermarkets.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to manage or work on a large livestock farm.
v.to engage in the business of raising livestock on a ranch.
Simple“His ancestors have been ranching in this valley for over a century.”
In context“The family has ranched this land for generations, adapting their methods as the climate became increasingly arid.”
UsageThe verb can be used transitively with the land as the object or intransitively.
Synonyms
Recorded since 1808, farm sense since 1831. From American Spanish rancho (“small farm, group of farm huts”), in Spanish originally “group of people who eat together." Cognate with English rank.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.