Farming

Definition

Farming is the activity or practice of cultivating land, raising crops, and rearing animals for food, fiber, and other products. It encompasses various agricultural methods and systems for sustaining human and animal life.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (present participle of "farm")

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈfɑrmɪŋ/
• Respelling: FAR-ming

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈfɑːmɪŋ/
• Respelling: FAH-ming

Etymology

The word "farming" derives from the Middle English "farmen," meaning "to rent or lease," which originated from the Old French "fermer," and Latin "firmare," meaning "to fix" or "strengthen." Its modern sense, related to agriculture, evolved during the 16th century.

Derivatives

• Farmer (noun)
• Farmstead (noun)
• Farmscape (noun)
• Farming-intensive (adjective)
• Farmable (adjective)

Synonyms

• Agriculture
• Cultivation
• Husbandry

Antonyms

• Urbanization
• Industrialization
• None

Usage

The term "farming" is widely used to describe the activities and systems involved in food production and land management. For example, "Modern farming practices incorporate advanced technology to improve efficiency," or "Sustainable farming aims to minimize environmental impact."

Related Terms

• Agriculture: The science and art of farming, including soil cultivation, crop production, and livestock management.
• Horticulture: The branch of agriculture dealing with garden cultivation and management.
• Agroecology: The study of ecological processes applied to agricultural systems.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The activity of growing crops or raising livestock: Refers to agricultural practices carried out to produce food, fiber, or other resources.
  • Example: "Farming has been the backbone of the rural economy for centuries."
• An occupation or lifestyle centered around agriculture: Describes the profession or way of life dedicated to working the land and managing animals.
  • Example: "She enjoys the peaceful life that farming provides."

Verb (present participle of 'farm')

• Engaging in agricultural practices: Indicates the act of cultivating land or raising animals.
  • Example: "They are farming wheat on a large scale."
• Leasing land for agricultural use: Refers to the practice of renting land to cultivate or produce goods.
  • Example: "He is farming a plot of land owned by the local council."