What does tedding mean?
Tedding means spreading or turning cut hay so that air can circulate around it and the grass dries evenly. The word is used both as a gerund-like verb, as in “They spent the afternoon tedding the hay,” and as a noun naming the operation itself. The task was traditionally performed with a rake, although mechanical tedding machines are now common on larger farms. Tedding is especially associated with preparing cut grass for haymaking and belongs mainly to agricultural and rural vocabulary in British and North American English. Although the practice may sound old-fashioned, it remains an important part of producing hay, since grass that dries unevenly can become moldy or spoil before it is gathered and stored.
The spreading or turning of cut hay so that it dries evenly.
"The tedding of the hay continued until the grass was thoroughly dry."
Usually treated as an uncountable activity noun.
To spread or turn cut hay so that it dries evenly.
"They were tedding the hay in the field before the evening dew settled."
Most often encountered in the form “tedding,” describing a repeated agricultural activity.
The noun is normally uncountable because it names an agricultural activity rather than a countable object.
"The tedding of the hay was delayed by the rain."
Before hay was baled and wrapped, tedding by hand or machine helped turn a field of cut grass into dry, portable fodder.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tedding come from?
Tedding was formed from the older English verb ted, meaning to spread or turn hay, with the suffix -ing. The agricultural verb is recorded in Middle English and belongs to an older tradition of haymaking terminology. The related noun tedder refers to a rake or machine used to spread cut grass; the remote origin of the root is uncertain.
How tedding is actually used
Tedding is primarily agricultural and somewhat traditional or technical. It is often used when describing the work of drying cut grass or hay and is less common in general conversation.
Easily confused with tedding
Tedding means spreading or turning hay to help it dry, whereas tending means caring for or looking after plants, animals, or other things.