Livestock Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：farm animals (livestock)

livestock 🔊

/ˈlaɪvstɒk/

animals raised on farms for food or other products like wool.

Livestock illustration showing cows and sheep grazing on a farm with a red barn.

farm animals 🔊

➕

/fɑːrm ˈænɪməlz/

Animals that are raised on farms primarily for food production, such as meat, milk, or wool, and other agricultural purposes.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'live' (living) + 'stock' (store or supply), meaning animals kept for utility.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'live stock' as animals that are alive and stocked on a farm for production.

📖 Example

The farm was home to a variety of livestock, including cows, sheep, and a few friendly goats. 🔊 The farm was home to a variety of livestock, including cows, sheep, and a few friendly goats.

🔗 Collocations

livestock farming – the practice of raising animals for agricultural purposes

livestock market – a place where farm animals are bought and sold

livestock feed – food given to farm animals

🔄 Synonyms

cattle (n.) – large ruminant animals, often raised for meat or milk

herd (n.) – a group of animals, especially hoofed mammals, kept together

stock (n.) – animals kept on a farm for breeding or meat

🚫 Antonyms

wildlife (n.) – animals living in natural conditions, not domesticated

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Middle English, combining Old English 'līf' (life) and 'stocc' (stake or supply). Historically referred to movable property or animals raised for agricultural use, reflecting its role in farming economies.