Ranch

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ɹæntʃ/
• Rhymes: -ɑːntʃ

Origin

Recorded since 1808, farm sense since 1831. From American Spanish rancho ("small farm, group of farm huts"), in Spanish originally "group of people who eat together", from ranchear ("to lodge or station"), from Old French ranger ("install in position"), from rang ("row, line") (cognate with rank)

Full definition of ranch

Noun

1. A large plot of land used for raising cattle, sheep or other livestock.
2. (western US) A small farm that cultivates vegetables and/or livestock.
3. A house or property on a ranch land.
4. ranch dressing

Derived terms

• rancher
• ranchhand
• ranchslider, ranch slider

Verb

1. To operate a ranch; engage in ranching.''Formally the widow still ranches, in fact she leaves all ranching to the foreman
2. To work on a ranch
3. ''Bill had ranched only five years when his dad made him foreman