Acre Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐ŸŒพ
Add to dictionary

acre

[หˆeษชkษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

land measurement unit

A unit of land measurement equal to 4,840 square yards or 43,560 square feet.

Synonyms

field, hectare, plot.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
acre

Use when referring to a unit of area commonly used in the United States and other countries practicing imperial measurements. It's widely used in agriculture.

  • The new farm spans over 150 acres.
  • He inherited 50 acres of land from his grandparents.
hectare

Utilized primarily in countries that follow the metric system. It is a standard unit of area measurement used internationally, especially in scientific contexts and large-scale agriculture.

  • The estate covers 10 hectares.
  • They bought a hectare of land to expand their vineyard.
plot

Often refers to a small piece of land designated for a specific purpose, like gardening, building a house, or even burial. It can have a negative connotation when referring to underhanded schemes or plans.

  • They purchased a plot to build their dream home.
  • She tends to her vegetable plot every weekend.
  • There was a sinister plot to overthrow the government.
field

Usually signifies an open area of land, often for growing crops or for sports. It can also be used metaphorically to denote a domain of knowledge or expertise.

  • The field was full of blooming sunflowers.
  • He runs swiftly across the soccer field.
  • She is an expert in the field of microbiology.

Examples of usage

  • The farm was composed of several acres of land.
  • She inherited an acre of land from her grandparents.
Context #2 | Noun

historical context

An old English unit of area originally used to measure the size of a field that could be plowed in one day by a yoke of oxen.

Synonyms

hide, plowgate, virgate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
acre

Used to describe a common unit of area measurement in modern agricultural and real estate contexts. It is familiar to most people when discussing land size.

  • The farm spans over 200 acres.
  • They bought a house with a large 5-acre garden.

Examples of usage

  • In medieval England, peasants were often required to plow a certain number of acres for their lord.
  • The village consisted of small cottages surrounded by acres of farmland.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Agriculture

  • An acre is often used to describe the size of farms, where one acre can yield enough crops to feed multiple families.
  • The concept of an acre has been important in agricultural practices, influencing land management and crop rotation.

Measurement Systems

  • In the U.S., one acre is equivalent to about 0.405 hectares, which is commonly used in land measurement globally.
  • Many countries use acres in real estate to describe property size, helping buyers understand the land dimension.

Environmental Impact

  • Around 1.5 acres of trees can absorb the carbon dioxide produced by an average car driven for one year.
  • Conservation efforts often focus on protecting acres of land to preserve wildlife habitats and ecosystems.

Cultural References

  • In literature, 'acre' often symbolizes land ownership and the agrarian lifestyle, reflecting the importance of land in community life.
  • In American history, the Homestead Act of 1862 allowed settlers to claim 160 acres of public land, shaping the nation's agricultural landscape.

Origin of 'acre'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'acre' comes from the Old English 'รฆcer', meaning 'open field' or 'arable land'.
  • In medieval times, an acre was defined as the amount of land that could be plowed in a day with a yoke of oxen.

The word 'acre' originated from the Old English word 'รฆcer' which meant 'open field, cultivated land'. It has been used as a unit of land measurement for centuries, dating back to medieval times. The concept of the acre as a land area that could be plowed in a day by a yoke of oxen was a common measurement in medieval England. Over time, the acre became standardized to its current size of 4,840 square yards or 43,560 square feet.


See also: acreage.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,658, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.