arable

1 of 2

adjective

ar·​a·​ble ˈa-rə-bəl 

ˈer-ə-

1

: fit for or used for the growing of crops

arable land

2

British : engaged in, produced by, or being the cultivation of arable land

arable farming

arable farmers

arability

ˌa-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌer-ə-

noun

arable

2 of 2

noun

chiefly British

: land fit or used for the growing of crops

also : a plot of such land

the village arable of Anglo-Saxon times

Examples of arable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Gulf states look to the continent for arable land, critical minerals, political influence, and diversified trade routes. — Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026

Her parents had drained swamps in order to create arable land and served in the Haganah pre-state military organization. — Natasha Mozgovaya, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Noun

About 13% of the land is arable, with microclimates suited to nearly every crop. — The Economist, 28 May 2020

Today, the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon run the estate, spanning 5,000 acres with 4,000 acres of arable farming. — Rachel King, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin arabilis, from arare to plow; akin to Old English erian to plow, Greek aroun

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1576, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for arable

• bearable
• parable
• terrible
• wearable
• repairable
• unbearable

Kids Definition

arable

adjective

ar·​a·​ble

ˈar-ə-bəl

: fit for or cultivated by plowing : suitable for producing crops

arable soil

arability

ˌar-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun