alfalfa

noun

al·​fal·​fa al-ˈfal-fə How to pronounce alfalfa (audio)
: a deep-rooted leguminous perennial plant (Medicago sativa) of southwestern Asia that is widely grown for hay and forage

Examples of alfalfa in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shallow groundwater stores supported fruit orchards, alfalfa fields, livestock ranches and, at one point, a water park and dozens of manmade lakes where people could fish, sail and water ski. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 And now several dozen people across 15 states have become ill after eating alfalfa sprouts in a new outbreak that involves salmonella and E coli. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 27 Aug. 2026 Oyharzabal, a farmer and rancher, eventually owned more than 4,000 acres where his operations included walnuts, alfalfa, grain, sheep and cattle. — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026 On August 22, Everything Sprouts issued a recall of the alfalfa sprouts, according to the FDA. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alfalfa

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, modification of Arabic dialect al-faṣfaṣa the alfalfa

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alfalfa was in 1791

Phrases Containing alfalfa

Rhymes for alfalfa

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Browse Nearby Words

Alfa
alfalfa
alfalfa butterfly
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Cite this Entry

“Alfalfa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alfalfa. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alfalfa

noun
al·​fal·​fa al-ˈfal-fə How to pronounce alfalfa (audio)
: a deep-rooted southwest Asian plant of the legume family with purple flowers and leaves like clover that is widely grown for hay and forage

More from Merriam-Webster on alfalfa

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alfalfa

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