prairie
UK: ˈpreəri | US: ˈpreri
n. a large open area of grassland, especially in North America
The word "prairie" comes from the French word "prairie," meaning "meadow" or "grassland," which itself derives from the Latin "pratum" (meadow). French settlers in North America used the term to describe the vast, treeless plains they encountered, and it was later adopted into English. The "-ie" suffix is a common noun-forming ending in French, retained in English. The word reflects the ecological and cultural significance of these landscapes in both French and English-speaking regions.
The vast prairie stretched endlessly under the blue sky.
Bison once roamed freely across the North American prairie.
Wildflowers bloomed in vibrant colors across the prairie in spring.
The settlers built their homes on the edge of the prairie.
Prairie dogs are small, social rodents native to the grasslands.