English · Word Candidate

ranch

/ˈɹɑːnt͡ʃ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: ranches · ranching · ranched

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A large plot of land used for raising cattle, sheep or other livestock.

Noun

Examples

There was some laughter, and Roddle was left free to expand his ideas on the periodic visits of cowboys to the town. “Mason Rickets, he had ten big punkins a-sittin' in front of his store, an' them fellers from the Upside-down-F ranch shot 'em up […].”

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A small farm that cultivates vegetables or livestock, especially one in the Southwestern United States.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To operate a ranch; to engage in ranching.

Verb

Examples

Formally the widow still ranches, but in fact she leaves all ranching to the foreman.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To work on a ranch.

Verb

Examples

Bill had ranched only five years when his dad made him foreman.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “ranch” mean?

A large plot of land used for raising cattle, sheep or other livestock.

Is “ranch” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.