1
: food for animals especially when taken by browsing or grazing
The grass serves as forage for livestock.
2
[forage entry 2]
: the act of foraging : search for provisions
They made forages to find food.
foraged; foraging
1
: to strip of provisions : collect forage from
2
: to secure by foraging
foraged a chicken for the feast
1
: to wander in search of forage or food
2
: to secure forage (as for horses) by stripping the country
4
: to make a search : rummage
forager
noun
Examples of forage in a Sentence
Noun
The grass serves as forage for livestock.
Verb
The cows were foraging in the pasture.
He had to forage for firewood.
Recent Examples on the Web
Outside Online, 12 Mar. 2025
But in the 1900s, extermination programs bankrolled by the US and state governments started killing off prairie dogs, which were viewed as pests that competed with cattle for forage.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 26 Feb. 2025
Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Dolphins exposed to swimmers rest, socialize and forage less.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forage
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Noun
The route ambles between mossy rainforest and sandy stretches, where black bears forage and orcas and gray whales breach offshore.
—Outside Online, 12 Mar. 2025
But in the 1900s, extermination programs bankrolled by the US and state governments started killing off prairie dogs, which were viewed as pests that competed with cattle for forage.
—Benji Jones, Vox, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
The 20-course omakase will change seasonally and feature ingredients that Toshi forages locally.
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Dolphins exposed to swimmers rest, socialize and forage less.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forage
Cite this Entry
“Forage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forage. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
forage
1 of 2 noun
for·age
ˈfȯr-ij 
ˈfär-
1
: food (as pasture) for browsing or grazing animals
2
: a search for food or supplies
forage
2 of 2 verb
foraged; foraging
2
: to make a search especially for food or supplies
forage for grain
forage for firewood
3
: to get by foraging
forager
noun
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