noun
Uncommon
plantation
plan-TAY-shuhn
Plantation (noun) means a large farm or estate, especially in a hot climate, growing a single cash crop and historically worked by enslaved or indentured labourers. Example: “The novel is set on a sugar plantation in the nineteenth century.”
noun
1
A large farm or estate, especially in a hot climate, growing a single cash crop and historically worked by enslaved or indentured labourers.
"The novel is set on a sugar plantation in the nineteenth century."
"Tourists can visit the restored plantation house and grounds."
"The coffee plantation stretched across the hillside as far as we could see."
2
An area deliberately planted with trees for timber or landscaping.
"The hillside was covered with a pine plantation."
"The council planted a new oak plantation along the edge of the park."
"Rows of young spruce in the plantation will be harvested for timber in decades to come."
How to use plantation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large agricultural estate growing one crop, or a planted stand of trees.
When to use it
In a historical context, "plantation" is closely tied to the history of slavery in the Americas, and the word is often used with that weight.
Common pairings
cotton plantation
tea plantation
plantation owner
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Word forms
- Plural
- plantations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The novel is set on a sugar _____ in the nineteenth century.
Etymology
From Latin plantatio, "a planting," from plantare, "to plant." Its use for a colonial estate comes from the older sense of "establishing a settlement" on new land.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for plantation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for plantation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “plantation” mean?
The word “plantation” means a large farm or estate, especially in a hot climate, growing a single cash crop and historically worked by enslaved or indentured labourers. In plain terms, a large agricultural estate growing one crop, or a planted stand of trees.
How do you pronounce “plantation”?
“Plantation” is pronounced plan-TAY-shuhn (/plænˈteɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “plantation” in a sentence?
Here is “plantation” used in a sentence: “The novel is set on a sugar plantation in the nineteenth century.”
What part of speech is “plantation”?
“Plantation” is a noun.
Where does the word “plantation” come from?
The word “plantation” comes from Latin. From Latin plantatio, "a planting," from plantare, "to plant." Its use for a colonial estate comes from the older sense of "establishing a settlement" on new land.
Is “plantation” a common word?
“Plantation” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “plantation” have?
“Plantation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large farm or estate, especially in a hot climate, growing a single cash crop and historically worked by enslaved or indentured labourers.
What is the difference between a plantation and a farm?
A plantation is typically a large estate in a hot climate that grows a single cash crop, historically often worked by enslaved or indentured laborers. A farm is a broader, more general term for land used for growing crops or raising animals, of any size or climate, without that specific historical association.
What crops were historically grown on plantations?
Historical plantations commonly grew single cash crops such as cotton, sugar, tobacco, or coffee, depending on the region and climate. This large-scale, single-crop model relied heavily on enslaved or indentured labor.
Does plantation always refer to agriculture involving forced labor?
No, plantation also has a separate, unrelated modern sense referring to an area deliberately planted with trees for timber or landscaping purposes. This sense carries no connection to the historical labor practices associated with cash-crop plantations.
