lawn

¹

[lawn]

noun

1. a stretch of open, grass-covered land, especially one closely mowed, as near a house, on an estate, or in a park.

2. Archaic.,  a glade.

lawn

²

[lawn]

noun

1. a thin or sheer linen or cotton fabric, either plain or printed.

lawn

¹

/ lɔːn /

noun

1. a flat and usually level area of mown and cultivated grass

2. an archaic or dialect word for glade

lawn

²

/ lɔːn /

noun

1. a fine linen or cotton fabric, used for clothing

Other Word Forms

• lawny adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lawn¹

1250–1300; Middle English launde < Middle French lande glade < Celtic; compare Breton lann heath. See land

Origin of lawn²

1375–1425; late Middle English lawnd, laun, perhaps named after Laon, where linen-making once flourished

Word History and Origins

Origin of lawn¹

C16: changed form of C14 launde, from Old French lande, of Celtic origin; compare Breton lann heath; related to _land

Origin of lawn²

C15: probably from Laon, a town in France where linen was made

Example Sentences

Tom mowed lawns, washed cars and ran a lemonade stand.

From Los Angeles Times

Their frontyard was pathetic; basically 1,500 square feet of weeds and parched patches of Bermuda lawn.

From Los Angeles Times

This was torn out by future First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson in favor of a long, symmetrical lawn bounded by roses.

From Salon

Couples sweetly danced together at their seats and back on the lawn.

From Salon

The neon signs, which include protest language and adapt time-honored slogans, are formatted as storefront installations and signs for lawns and demonstrations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• backyard 
• garden 
• grass 
• green 
• park 
• terrace 
• yard