alfalfa

noun

al·​fal·​fa al-ˈfal-fə How to pronounce alfalfa (audio)
: a deep-rooted leguminous perennial plant (Medicago sativa) of southwestern Asia that is widely grown for hay and forage

Examples of alfalfa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then compost and prepared alfalfa pellets are placed on top of the soil. — Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 May 2026 Blue skies extended to the horizon, and a small colony of tents, camper vans and motorhomes sprawled out across the lush alfalfa fields. — Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 9 June 2026 The farm grew apples, almonds and alfalfa, and, by 2001, McAfee had expanded into commercial dairy. — CNN Money, 14 June 2026 Ortega recalled having already been trained as a 3-year-old in Mexico to cut alfalfa and become a farmworker, the only job all members of his family had ever held. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for alfalfa

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, modification of Arabic dialect al-faṣfaṣa the alfalfa

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alfalfa was in 1791

Phrases Containing alfalfa

Rhymes for alfalfa

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Browse Nearby Words

Alfa
alfalfa
alfalfa butterfly
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Cite this Entry

“Alfalfa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alfalfa. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alfalfa

noun
al·​fal·​fa al-ˈfal-fə How to pronounce alfalfa (audio)
: a deep-rooted southwest Asian plant of the legume family with purple flowers and leaves like clover that is widely grown for hay and forage

More from Merriam-Webster on alfalfa

Nglish: Translation of alfalfa for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alfalfa

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