Prairie
'prɛəri
Definitions
A large open area of grassland, especially in North America.
'prɛəri
A large, open area of grassland.
The family drove across the endless prairie, the sun setting in the west.
💡 Simply: Imagine a giant, grassy field that goes on and on! Think of the wide-open spaces of the American West where cowboys might have ridden on horseback. It's a prairie!
👶 For kids: A big field of grass where you can run and play!
More Examples
Wildflowers bloom in abundance across the prairie in spring.
Prairie dogs are common inhabitants of the grasslands.
How It's Used
"The explorers crossed vast prairies during their journey westward."
"The prairie ecosystem supports a diverse array of wildlife."
From French "prairie", meaning "meadow", ultimately from Latin "pratum", also meaning "meadow". The word came into common use in English through exploration and settlement of the North American Great Plains.
The word 'prairie' became prominent in American literature and geographical descriptions as settlers moved westward and encountered these unique landscapes.
Memory tip
Picture a 'pre-airy' place - a vast, grassy plain perfect for wide-open spaces and wildlife.
Word Origin
"meadow"