What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rangeland
Example
The rancher's cattle grazed on the rangeland for months. [rangeland: noun]
Example
The Bureau of Land Management manages millions of acres of rangeland in the western United States. [rangeland: noun]
prairie
Example
The Great Plains region of the United States is known for its vast prairies. [prairies: noun]
Example
The prairie dog is a keystone species in many grassland ecosystems. [prairie: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prairie is more commonly used than rangeland in everyday language, especially in the United States. Prairie is a well-known term that is often associated with the history and culture of the American Midwest, while rangeland is a more technical term that is primarily used in the context of land management and conservation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rangeland and prairie?
Both rangeland and prairie are relatively formal terms that are most commonly used in scientific, agricultural, and environmental contexts. However, prairie may be slightly more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, including literature, history, and popular culture.