ranch
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for ranch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large farm, especially in the western United States, used for raising cattle, sheep, or horses.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ranch
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From American Spanish rancho, "small farm" or "group of farm huts" — originally referring to a group of people who ate together.
Full origin of ranch →Frequently asked questions
What does “ranch” mean?
The word “ranch” means a large farm, especially in the western United States, used for raising cattle, sheep, or horses. In plain terms, a large livestock farm, especially in the American West, or (as a verb) to run one.
How do you pronounce “ranch”?
“Ranch” is pronounced RAHNCH (/ˈɹænt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ranch” in a sentence?
Here is “ranch” used in a sentence: “His grandfather ran a cattle ranch in Montana for forty years.”
What part of speech is “ranch”?
Depending on how it is used, “ranch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ranch” come from?
The word “ranch” comes from Spanish. From American Spanish rancho, "small farm" or "group of farm huts" — originally referring to a group of people who ate together.
Is “ranch” a common word?
“Ranch” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ranch” have?
“Ranch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large farm, especially in the western United States, used for raising cattle, sheep, or horses.
What is the difference between a ranch and a farm?
A farm is the general word for land used to grow crops or raise animals. A ranch is a particular kind of large farm, especially in the western United States, devoted to raising grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, or horses.
What is a ranch-style house?
A ranch or ranch-style house is a single-storey home built in a style associated with American ranch homes, typically long, low, and spread out on one level. The style is strongly associated with American suburban building.
Can ranch be used as a verb?
Yes. To ranch means to run or work on a ranch raising livestock, as in "the family has ranched in the valley for three generations." The person doing it is a rancher, and the activity is ranching.
What is a ranch called in other countries?
The idea travels under different names: in Australia and New Zealand a large livestock property is usually called a station, in Argentina and much of South America an estancia, and in Mexico a hacienda or rancho. All describe large landholdings used for raising grazing animals.