noun
Common
ranch
RAHNCH
Ranch (noun) means a large farm, especially in the western United States, used for raising cattle, sheep, or horses. Example: “We stayed on a working ranch where guests could help herd the horses.”
noun
1
A large farm, especially in the western United States, used for raising cattle, sheep, or horses.
"We stayed on a working ranch where guests could help herd the horses."
"The ranch stretched for miles, with cattle grazing under a huge sky."
"His grandfather ran a cattle ranch in Montana for forty years."
2
A single-storey house, especially one built in a style associated with American ranch homes.
"They bought a modest ranch on the edge of town."
verb
1
To run or work on a ranch, raising livestock.
"She dreams of leaving the city and ranching with her husband in the mountains."
"Many families in this valley have ranched sheep for generations."
"His family has ranched this land for three generations."
How to use ranch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large livestock farm, especially in the American West, or (as a verb) to run one.
Common pairings
cattle ranch
work on a ranch
ranch house
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Word forms
- Plural
- ranches
- Third person singular
- ranches
- Past tense
- ranched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We stayed on a working _____ where guests could help herd the horses.
Etymology
From American Spanish rancho, "small farm" or "group of farm huts" — originally referring to a group of people who ate together.
Related words
Rhymes for ranch
See all rhymes for 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.
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