roundup of cattle

4.9

Gathering cattle to count, brand, or move them

noun
/ˈraʊndʌp əv ˈkætəl/

: reunión de ganado

The annual roundup of cattle allows the ranchers to check the health and size of the herd.

Examples

Cowboys spent days preparing for the roundup of cattle before moving the herd north.
The annual roundup of cattle takes place every spring on the ranch.
After a successful roundup of cattle, the ranchers celebrated with a big meal.
The roundup of cattle took place at dawn.
We witnessed a roundup of cattle in Texas last summer.
During the roundup of cattle, the cowboys skillfully herded the animals into the corral.
Every fall, the roundup of cattle is essential for branding the new calves on the ranch.

Synonyms

roundup

vsroundup of cattle

4 4.6

Gathering farm animals like cattle so they can be counted or sold

focuses specifically on gathering a single animal type for counting or moving

Antonyms

to release

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

to scatter

110 2.7

To make people or animals move quickly in different directions

How Large

cattle drive

4 6.3

roundup of cattle

4.9

muster

Jargon

20 6.8

gathering

47 1.4

Surface Forms

roundup of cattle singular

roundups of cattle plural

Morphology

roundup + of + cattle

The meaning 'the act of gathering cattle together' is directly and transparently derived from the constituents: 'roundup' (bringing together) + 'of' + 'cattle' (livestock). This noun phrase follows a common compositional pattern (Noun + of + Noun) and is literal and cross-linguistically comparable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily understand it.

Etymology

The phrase roundup of cattle comes from ranch work where cowboys rode around the herd to bring the animals into one place. The image of rounding the cows up into a pen explains why it means 'gathering cattle' for counting, branding, or moving.