cover crop

noun

: a crop planted to prevent soil erosion and to provide humus

Examples of cover crop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Red clover can make a drought- and shade-tolerant lawn alternative, but it is more often grown as an annual winter cover crop and then tilled into the soil as green manure. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 13 May 2026 Iowa farmers have implemented practices like buffer strips, terracing, cover crops and other measures to keep our water safe. Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register, 4 May 2026 It can be grown as a spring cover crop and works as a barrier plant to turn deer away from the vegetable garden. Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 3 May 2026 Replant those areas with warm-season crops or cover crops. Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cover crop

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cover crop was in 1899

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cover crop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cover%20crop. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

cover crop

noun
: a crop planted to prevent soil erosion and to provide humus

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