ClimateAugust 22, 2026

fallow

FAL-oh

Definition

Refers to farmland that is intentionally left unplanted or uncultivated for a season to allow the soil to recover its fertility.

Etymology

Derived from the Old English word 'fealu', meaning yellowish or reddish-brown, describing the color of ploughed but unseeded earth.

In the news

The article describes vast swathes of Sudanese farmland as lying fallow, meaning the land is unproductive and idle rather than being used to address the country's hunger crisis.

Sudan farms lie barren as El Nino leaves Nile banks dry

Read the full article ↗

RTL Today

Related words

ameliorate

To make a condition or situation better or less painful.

Climate

consumptive

Relating to or characterized by the excessive or depleting use of resources.

Climate

germination

The process by which a seed begins to sprout, grow, or develop into a new plant.

Climate

imagers

Devices or equipment used to create visual representations or recordings of physical…

Climate

microforest

A small, dense area of trees and vegetation planted in an urban space, often designed to…

Climate

plundered

To steal goods or resources using force, often in a way that leaves the victim or the…

Climate

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.