livestock

noun

live·​stock ˈlīv-ˌstäk How to pronounce livestock (audio)
: animals kept or raised for use or pleasure
especially : farm animals kept for use and profit

Examples of livestock in a Sentence

a market where livestock are bought and sold a market where livestock is bought and sold
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.
Since 2020, the cost to care for livestock has increased 28%, and farmers are spending more on animal feed, marketing, storage and transportation to get eggs to stores. Pete & Gerry's Contributor, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Reports of home entries, livestock attacks, apiary and other agricultural damage, damage to vehicles and structures, as well as physical altercations with pets and people are following a long-term upward trend. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 Lutz and Corrie were charged with reckless assault, chemical endangerment to a child, 10 counts of cruelty to animals and six counts of failure to bury/burn livestock, according to WSFA, which cited information from the Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey. Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025 New technology also helps conserve water and reduce livestock methane gas emissions. Kit Bernardi, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for livestock

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1687, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of livestock was circa 1687

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Livestock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livestock. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

livestock

noun
live·​stock ˈlīv-ˌstäk How to pronounce livestock (audio)
: animals kept or raised
especially : farm animals kept for use and profit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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