meadow grass

1 3.4

Grass that grows in meadows and feeds farm animals

noun
/ˈmɛdoʊ ɡræs/

: pasto de pradera

She raises her arms, the knotted rope bracelets her wrists, her hands are like little white stars fallen into the meadow grass.

Examples

The farmer knew that the rich soil would help the meadow grass thrive in the warm summer months.
"They're leaving!" she yelled to the barn swallows who dipped and swerved over the green meadow grass.

Fiction book (1990)
As they talked on, the evening turned blue, light fog brushing the meadow grass.

Fiction book (1992)
Then she hears the sound of his feet like a scythe, cutting through the meadow grass.

Fiction book (1999)
Blades and tufts of meadow grass are matted in her long hair.

Fiction book (1998)
Eyes closed, she feels the hot sun, the vague itch of meadow grass, and hears the insect hum.

Fiction book (1999)
Here and there in the rock expanse, patches of meadow grass gleamed, like the lawns of marmot estates.

Fiction book (1991)
The higher fringe of milkweed, meadow grass, and birch, taking the breeze from the water, channeling it into streaks—and then the circle of pines.

Fiction book (2000)
The long meadow grass swayed gently in the breeze, creating a soothing sound.
Children played happily in the field, running through the tall meadow grass that surrounded them.

Synonyms

grass

vsmeadow grass

521 1.0

A low green plant with narrow leaves that covers fields and lawns and is often eaten by animals

is more specific, naming moist Poa species rather than any common plant

bluegrass

vsmeadow grass

1 4.9

A grass with narrow bluish green leaves often used for lawns

is the general Poa group usually meant in moist pasture contexts

sweet grass

vsmeadow grass

1 6.9

A grass with a sweet smell that grows near water

is defined by belonging to the genus Poa rather than scent traits

meadowgrass

vsmeadow grass

6.0

Grass that grows in meadows and wet places

is narrower, naming species mainly in the genus Poa

wood meadowgrass

vsmeadow grass

9.9

A thin grass that grows every year in shady places like woods

is focused on moist pasture species in the genus Poa rather than shady types

reed meadow grass

vsmeadow grass

5.2

A grass that grows in wet fields and marshes and provides grazing for cattle

is more specific to Poa species rather than any pasture plant

tall meadow grass

vsmeadow grass

6.1

A tall rough grass that grows in meadows and roadsides and is used for hay

is narrower, referring mainly to Poa species in moist pastures

meadow fescue

vsmeadow grass

6.8

A grass that lives for many years with wide flat leaves grown for animal grazing, hay, and lawns

is native Poa species rather than plants from a different cultivated genus

How Tall

giant reed

5.3

Yorkshire fog

9.9

tall-grass

6 3.9

meadow grass

1 3.4

lawn

464 1.0

Surface Forms

meadow grass singular

meadow grasses plural

Morphology

meadow + grass

The meaning 'a type of grass that grows in meadows' is directly and predictably derived from composing 'meadow' (land of grasses) and 'grass' (green narrow-leaved plants); it is a straightforward noun–noun compound indicating type/location. This compositional pattern is common across languages and follows basic English compounding rules, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Meadow grass comes from a simple picture: the grass that grows in a meadow, often in wet fields and used as food for animals. Because people long used this name for those plants, it now means 'a type of grass' found in meadows.