ranch

[ ranch ]

noun

1. an establishment maintained for raising livestock under range conditions.
2. Chiefly Western U.S. and Canada. a large farm used primarily to raise one kind of crop or animal:

   a mink ranch.

3. a dude ranch.
4. the persons employed or living on a ranch.
5. ranch house.
6. ranch dressing:

   I’ll have the small salad, with ranch on the side.

verb (used without object)

1. to manage or work on a ranch.

ranch

/ rɑːntʃ /

noun

1. a large tract of land, esp one in North America, together with the necessary personnel, buildings, and equipment, for rearing livestock, esp cattle
2. 1. any large farm for the rearing of a particular kind of livestock or crop

      a mink ranch

   2. the buildings, land, etc, connected with it

verb

1. intr to manage or run a ranch
2. tr to raise (animals) on or as if on a ranch

Other Words From

• ranchless adjective
• ranchlike adjective
• un·ranched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ranch¹

An Americanism dating from 1800–10; from Spanish rancho “farm, cattle farm, ranch”; rancho

Word History and Origins

Origin of ranch¹

C19: from Mexican Spanish rancho small farm; see rancho

Example Sentences

“The Voice” winner Jason “Sundance” Head says he’s thankful to be alive after accidentally shooting himself in the stomach on his East Texas ranch.

From Los Angeles Times

The actress, whose latest dark comedy series “Based on a True Story” is now streaming on Peacock, lives with Pelphrey, their daughter Matilda and a host of farm animals on a ranch outside Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

On the surface, mine was just another suburban household in a California ranch house: mom, dad, three kids, two dogs and a cat.

From Los Angeles Times

As a devoted Republican who runs a cattle ranch and proudly talks about owning a gun, Shasta County Supervisor Mary Rickert is an unlikely progressive icon.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes the streets in the town known for cattle ranching, apple orchards and ironworking can be so quiet it feels like a ghost town.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dairy farm
• estate
• homestead
• land
• plantation