What does agriculture mean?
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals to produce food, fiber, fuel, and other goods essential to human life. As one of the oldest organized human activities — dating back roughly ten thousand years to the dawn of settled civilization — it underpins virtually every society on earth. The word is most often used as an uncountable noun in formal contexts: governments maintain departments of agriculture, economists track agriculture's share of national output, and scientists study sustainable agriculture as a response to environmental pressures. In everyday speech, 'farming' serves as the more casual synonym, while related terms like horticulture (garden plants) and agronomy (crop science) cover narrower fields. Derived forms include agricultural, agriculturist, and agriculturally. Whether discussed in terms of subsistence farming in rural communities or large-scale industrial production, agriculture remains central to conversations about food security, climate change, and economic development worldwide.
nounThe science, art, and practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising livestock for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain human life.
- The practice of cultivating land, raising crops, and rearing animals for food and other products.
- The science or study of farming, including soil management and crop production (as an academic discipline).
"Agriculture employs nearly a quarter of the world's workforce."
"Modern agriculture relies heavily on machinery, irrigation, and scientific breeding."
"She studied agriculture at university before returning to manage her family's farm."
Very rare; occasionally used in academic writing to refer to distinct systems or traditions of farming across regions or eras.
"Comparative studies of world agricultures reveal striking differences in technique and scale."
The word 'agriculture' literally means 'field cultivation' in Latin — ager (field) plus cultura (tending) — making it one of humanity's oldest named activities.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of agriculture
Agriculture derives from the Latin 'agricultura', a compound of 'ager' (field) and 'cultura' (cultivation or tending), literally meaning 'field-tilling'. The word entered English in the early 15th century via Old French, initially referring to tillage of land. It shares its Latin root with words like 'agrarian' and, through 'cultura', with 'culture', 'horticulture', and 'permaculture'.
Related word forms
How agriculture is actually used
Agriculture is a formal, neutral term used in academic, governmental, and economic contexts; 'farming' is the more everyday equivalent. It is almost always uncountable.
Easily confused with agriculture
Horticulture is the cultivation of gardens, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, whereas agriculture is the broader practice of farming including crops and livestock.