Harvest: meaning, definitions and examples

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harvest

[ˈhɑːrvɪst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

agricultural

To gather a crop from the fields. This typically involves cutting, gathering, and storing the crops.

Synonyms

collect, gather, reap.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
harvest	Used when talking about gathering crops or agricultural products, especially when they are ripe and ready to be picked. The farmers are set to harvest corn in the fall It's important to harvest vegetables when they are ripe
reap	Typically used in agricultural contexts, similar to 'harvest,' but can also be metaphorical, meaning to receive a reward or result of efforts. Farmers reap the wheat in late summer She worked hard all year and is now reaping the benefits
gather	Best used when referring to bringing people or things together, often in a group. Can apply to information, resources, or people. We need to gather everyone for the meeting She went into the forest to gather firewood
collect	Appropriate when talking about bringing together various items, often for a specific purpose or from various locations. She likes to collect stamps from different countries Please collect all the papers before you leave

Examples of usage

The farmers are busy harvesting the wheat.
It's time to harvest the apples from the orchard.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

agricultural

The process or period of gathering crops. It often refers to the time when crops are ripe and ready to be collected.

Synonyms

crop, produce, yield.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
harvest	Use 'harvest' when talking about the process of gathering mature crops from the fields or the season when this process happens. It can also refer to the result of such gathering. The farmers worked all day to complete the harvest The apple harvest was particularly bountiful this year
crop	Use 'crop' when referring to the plants that are grown and harvested, generally for food. This term emphasizes the type or amount of plants grown. This year's corn crop is expected to be very high They rotate their crops to maintain soil health
yield	Use 'yield' when discussing the amount of crops produced, often in relation to the efficiency or productivity of agricultural practices. It has a quantitative focus. The yield of wheat per acre has increased due to improved farming techniques This year's grape yield was lower because of the dry weather
produce	Use 'produce' when referring to fresh agricultural products, especially fruits and vegetables that are sold in markets. It often emphasizes the final products rather than the process or raw form. Farmers bring their fresh produce to the market every Saturday The supermarket offers a wide variety of organic produce

Examples of usage

The harvest this year was bountiful.
After the harvest, the fields were ready for the next planting season.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'harvest' comes from Old English 'hærfest', meaning 'autumn' or 'the time of gathering'.
In many languages, the root of the word relates to gathering or reaping, showing a common theme across cultures.

Cultural Significance

Many cultures celebrate the harvest with festivals, such as Thanksgiving in the USA, which gives thanks for the abundance of food.
In various traditions, harvest time is marked with rituals that thank gods or nature for their blessings, highlighting the connection between humans and nature.

Agricultural Practices

Harvesting can be done by hand or with machines, depending on the size of the farm and the crops being collected.
Different regions have unique harvesting methods based on local traditions and technological advancements.

Environmental Impact

Sustainable harvesting practices help preserve wildlife and natural habitats, ensuring that ecosystems remain balanced.
Overharvesting can lead to soil depletion and negatively impact the environment, affecting future crop yields.

Historical Context

Ancient civilizations relied heavily on the success of their harvests, which could determine the survival of their communities.
The invention of agriculture marked a significant turning point in human history, leading to the development of settled societies.

Translations

Translations of the word "harvest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 colheita

🇮🇳 फसल

🇩🇪 Ernte

🇮🇩 panen

🇺🇦 врожай

🇵🇱 żniwa

🇯🇵 収穫

🇫🇷 récolte

🇪🇸 cosecha

🇹🇷 hasat

🇰🇷 수확

🇸🇦 حصاد

🇨🇿 sklizeň

🇸🇰 zber

🇨🇳 收获

🇸🇮 žetev

🇮🇸 uppskeru

🇰🇿 жинау

🇬🇪 მოსავალი

🇦🇿 məhsul

🇲🇽 cosecha

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,050, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4047 precious
4048 wit
4049 flour
4050 harvest
4051 proportions
4052 bath
4053 chains
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