farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
"We spent our summer vacation driving across the sprawling ranch where my family raises hundreds of head of cattle."
A large plot of land used for raising cattle, sheep or other livestock.
"The family moved to their sprawling ranch in Texas to take over the daily work of herding cattle and tending to the herd."
In plain English: A ranch is a large farm where people raise cattle and other livestock.
"We rode our horses across the big ranch to visit the cattle."
To operate a ranch; engage in ranching.
"After years of working as an accountant, Sarah decided to sell her house and finally go out West to run a cattle ranch."
In plain English: To ranch means to raise cattle on a large farm, usually in open areas like plains or deserts.
"We are going to ranch the cattle before they reach the river."
Usage: Use this verb to describe managing livestock or grazing land, often implying the ownership of large open spaces typical of western regions. It is distinct from general farming because it specifically focuses on raising cattle rather than cultivating crops.
The word ranch entered English from the American Spanish term rancho, which originally described a group of people eating together before coming to mean a small farm or collection of farm buildings. It has been recorded in use since 1808, with its specific agricultural sense appearing by 1831.