depasture
C2+Formal, Technical/Agricultural
Definition
Meaning
To put (livestock) out to graze on pasture.
To consume or use up vegetation by grazing. Also, for livestock to be put to graze on land. Can imply the act of turning land into pasture for grazing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive verb, though can be used intransitively (e.g., 'the cattle depastured'). It often implies a managed or permitted use of land for grazing, sometimes in a legal or formal agricultural context. The sense of 'consume by grazing' can be almost synonymous with 'browse' or 'graze down'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in British and Commonwealth (e.g., Australian, New Zealand) English, especially in legal, historical, and formal agricultural contexts. Rare in contemporary American English, where 'graze', 'pasture', or 'put out to pasture' are standard.
Connotations
In British usage, can carry formal, legal, or historical connotations (e.g., rights of common to depasture animals). In American English, if used, it would be perceived as highly archaic or a deliberate Britishism.
Frequency
Very low frequency overall. Its use is almost entirely confined to specific technical, legal, or historical texts, and regional rural dialects in the UK/Australasia.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: Farmer/Agent] depasture [Object: Livestock] (on [Location: Land])[Subject: Livestock] depasture ([Location: Land])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be put out to pasture (idiom: to retire someone, usually from a job). Note: 'depasture' itself is not idiomatic, but relates to this common idiom.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused. Might appear in historical context of land management companies.
Academic
Used in agricultural history, legal history (e.g., manorial rights), and environmental studies discussing grazing practices.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound archaic or overly formal.
Technical
Core usage. Found in agricultural manuals, land management documents, and legal texts concerning grazing rights.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The tenant has the right to depasture twenty sheep on the common.
- We shall depasture the young bullocks in the lower meadow this spring.
- The agreement forbids him to depasture horses on this land.
American English
- (Archaic/Historical) The early settlers were permitted to depasture their herds on the open range.
- (Technical) The study models how many head can sustainably depasture the restored prairie.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival form. 'Depasturable' is a rare, technical adjective meaning 'fit for depasturing'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The farmer will depasture his cattle in the north field next week.
- Historical records show villagers could depasture their animals on the lord's waste.
- The environmental impact assessment considered how many sheep could be depastured on the hillside without causing erosion.
- The legal dispute centred on an ancient right to depasture goats on the common land.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DE (down, completely) + PASTURE. To completely put something down onto a pasture to graze.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAND AS A RESOURCE CONTAINER (The livestock are put into the container of the pasture to consume its contents).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'departure' (отъезд, отправление) из-за схожего звучания.
- Более точный перевод — 'выпасать' (скорее управляемый, разрешенный выпас), а не просто 'пастись'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a noun (e.g., 'the depasture was lush'). Incorrect; it is a verb. The noun is 'pasture'.
- Confusing it with 'departure'.
- Using it in everyday modern contexts where 'graze' is appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'depasture' MOST likely to be found?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency word, primarily used in formal, technical, legal, or historical contexts related to agriculture and land use, especially in British and Commonwealth English.
'Graze' is the general, common term. 'Depasture' is more specific and formal, often implying a managed, permitted, or legal act of putting animals to graze on a particular area of land.
It is unusual. 'Depasture' typically implies human agency (someone depastures livestock). For wild animals consuming vegetation, 'browse', 'graze', or 'forage' are more appropriate.
No, the related noun is 'pasture'. The act or right can be described as 'depasturage' or more commonly 'pasturage', but these are also technical terms.