hay

hay · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Grass that has been cut and dried for use as animal fodder.

  2. 2.

    (informal) A small amount of money (usually in negative constructions).

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    make hay (while the sun shines) — to take advantage of favorable conditions
  • •
    hit the hay — (informal) to go to bed
  • •
    needle in a haystack — something very difficult to find
  • •
    hay fever — an allergic reaction to pollen

Related words

See also: fodder, grass, harvest, straw
Synonyms: dried grass, fodder, straw

Etymology

From Old English hieg, heg, of Germanic origin; related to German Heu and Dutch hooi. The word has been in continuous use since before the Norman Conquest.