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DictionaryfarmerAgricultural worker
noun

farmer

FAR-mer/ˈfɑːrmər/

A person who runs a farm or works on one.

The farmer harvests cabbages into crates beside the cultivated rows.

A farmer harvests cabbages into produce crates beside long cultivated rows, with a small farm tractor nearby.
Etymology
farmLatinfixed payment, rent
+erLatinperson connected with

The fixed payment was originally rent: a farmer was a lease-holder or tax collector. As farm came to mean cultivated land, farmer acquired its agricultural meaning.

In context

The Scottish Parliament65:31
Farmer Cameron Ewen told me: “Most farmers are doing what’s required anyway. I do regular soil analysis. I have a health scheme for livestock.
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee Debate: Future Agriculture Policy in Scotland - 25 May 2023

More examples

  • Local farmers sell fresh vegetables at the market.
  • My aunt is a dairy farmer with sixty cows.
  • The farmer hires extra workers for the apple harvest.

Forms

farmer · farmers

farm noun — Land and buildings used for agriculture.

farming noun — The work of raising crops or livestock.

Similar words

grower
Focuses on someone who produces crops rather than raises livestock.
rancher
Usually raises grazing livestock on a large area of land.
farmhand
Works as a hired laborer rather than running the farm.