grassland

[gras-land, grahs-]

noun

1. an area, as a prairie, in which the natural vegetation consists largely of perennial grasses, characteristic of subhumid and semiarid climates.

2. land with grass growing on it, especially farmland used for grazing or pasture.

grassland

/ ˈɡrɑːsˌlænd /

noun

1. land, such as a prairie, on which grass predominates

2. land reserved for natural grass pasture

grassland

1. An area that is dominated by grass or grasslike vegetation. Moderately dry climatic conditions and seasonal disturbances, such as floods or fires, are generally conducive to the growth of grasses and prohibitive of that of trees and shrubs. Grasslands are found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions and typically occupy regions between forests and deserts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of grassland¹

An Americanism dating back to 1675–85; grass + land

Example Sentences

The Natural History Museum's gardens opened in 2024, and features grassland, wetland and woodland habitats, and are described as a living laboratory where visitors and scientists can identify and monitor wildlife in an urban environment.

From BBC

The car parking is on grassland and some car parks are a 20-minute walk from the arena.

From BBC

South Wales has also seen the number of grassland fire incidents hit a five-year high, despite there being four months of the year still to go.

From BBC

They are restoring a natural wildlife-rich habitat made up of open grasslands populated with ancient trees, known as wood pasture.

From BBC

Before European settlers arrived in the American West and started suppressing fire at every turn, forests and grasslands burned on a regular basis.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pasture 
• plain 
• prairie 
• savanna 
• steppe