land·race
ˈlan(d)-ˌrās
plural landraces
: a local variety of a species of plant or animal that has distinctive characteristics arising from development and adaptation over time to conditions of a localized geographic region and that typically displays greater genetic diversity than types subjected to formal breeding practices
A small number of popular, high-yielding crop varieties bred by these companies have increasingly edged out landraces, the varieties adapted to localized conditions during millennia of farming.—Janet Raloff
By the 1900s most indigenous, colored cotton landraces, or cultivars, grown in Africa, Asia and Central and South America were replaced by all-white, commercial varieties.—James M. Vreeland, Jr.
Unlike pedigreed breeds, dogs described as a landrace are a loose population of canines with greater variation in appearance and temperament. They are physically adapted to a specific environment and often selected for working ability.—Kim Thornton
Land·ra·ce
ˈlän(d)-ˌrä-sə
plural Landraces
: a usually white, long-bodied pig of any of several breeds having large, drooping ears and developed from stock of the original Danish breed derived from a localized population of free-breeding swine native to Denmark
Although [Emma] Wischmeier said she tends to have a special bond with the cows she has raised, first-year exhibitor Sam Williams can't say the same about the 312-pound American Landrace pig he has been caring for since March.—Mark Webber
Cite this Entry
“Landrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/landrace. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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