arable

[ ar-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of producing crops; suitable for farming; suited to the plow and for tillage:

   arable land; arable soil.

noun

1. land that can be or is cultivated.

arable

/ ˈærəbəl /

adjective

1. (of land) being or capable of being tilled for the production of crops
2. of, relating to, or using such land

   arable farming

noun

1. arable land or farming

Other Words From

• ara·bili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arable¹

1375–1425; < Latin arābilis, equivalent to arā ( re ) to plow + -bilis -ble; replacing late Middle English erable, equivalent to er ( en ) to plow ( Old English erian ) + -able -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of arable¹

C15: from Latin arābilis that can be ploughed, from arāre to plough

Example Sentences

The couple, who live in Cerne Abbas, struck deals with several owners of permanent pasture land, but were only able to expand their operation after securing grazing of winter cover crops on arable farms.

From BBC

"As we observe the Earth warming at a rapid pace within human time scales, we are faced with challenges such as more frequent and intense storms, more frequent and intense droughts and floods, rising sea levels, and, ultimately, a reduction in habitable and arable land," Judd said.

From Salon

High yields were not problematic in and of itself, but the fecundity of an apparently inferior grape relative to Pinot was unacceptable to the duke, who feared that Gamay vines would take over arable land that could otherwise be used for Pinot or other crops deemed more valuable.

From Salon

Mike Wilkins, an arable farmer in Wiltshire, lost about half his wheat.

From BBC

“We’d like to use some of our arable land for new animal farming, so this would have profound consequences on mixed family farms like this.”

From BBC