Ranch
A large farm for raising cattle or other grazing animals, especially in the Americas.
Also: rancho, estancia, hacienda, fazenda
A ranch is a large holding where cattle, sheep or horses are raised mainly on grass. The word comes from the Spanish rancho, and similar holdings are the estancia of Argentina and Uruguay, the hacienda of Mexico and the fazenda of Brazil. Ranching spread with Spanish cattle through the Americas and later across the North American plains. The King Ranch in Texas, founded in 1853, is one of the largest in the United States and developed the Santa Gertrudis breed. Ranch work is often done on horseback and, increasingly, with vehicles and light aircraft.