farmer

noun

farm·​er ˈfär-mər How to pronounce farmer (audio)
1
: a person who pays a fixed sum for some privilege or source of income
2
: a person who cultivates land or crops or raises animals (such as livestock or fish)
3

Examples of farmer in a Sentence

My uncle has been a farmer for 60 years. a young farmer whose family has been growing wheat for many generations
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The egg roll uses about 2,500 dozen eggs donated by farmers, according to the American Egg Board. James Powel, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025 My party defends those oppressed and exploited by capital; working farmers and undocumented immigrant workers who need amnesty. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025 Naypyitaw became Myanmar's capital in 2006 after being built at great expense almost from scratch next to what had once been a logging center inhabited largely by farmers. Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025 Such efforts have already led to the restoration of funding in Republican districts following federal cuts that impacted farmers and rural areas. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for farmer

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of farmer was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Farmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/farmer. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

farmer

noun
farm·​er ˈfär-mər How to pronounce farmer (audio)
: a person who cultivates land or crops or raises animals

Biographical Definition

Farmer 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Far·​mer ˈfär-mər How to pronounce Farmer (audio)
Fannie Merritt 1857–1915 American cookery expert

Farmer

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

James Leonard 1920–1999 American civil rights leader

More from Merriam-Webster on farmer

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