Lawn vs. Grass — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 1, 2023
Grass is a type of plant, while a lawn is an area covered by maintained grass.
Difference Between Lawn and Grass
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Grass refers to any plant of the family Poaceae, characterized by slender leaves and a variety of species. Lawns, however, represent a cultivated area of soil covered in grass that is maintained at a short height. While grass can grow wild in many environments, a lawn is typically a deliberate creation for aesthetic or recreational purposes.
A lawn is composed of grass, but not all grassy areas are lawns. A grassy plain in the wilderness is not a lawn because it lacks the cultivation and care given to lawns. In contrast, lawns are deliberately planted and regularly maintained to ensure a uniform appearance, involving mowing, watering, and sometimes the application of fertilizers and weed control.
Grass is a general term that can apply to species growing in a variety of conditions, including untended fields, roadsides, and wild areas. Lawns, on the other hand, are specifically grown in residential, commercial, or public spaces to enhance the landscape. Lawn maintenance is often a significant aspect of horticulture and home care, whereas grass in natural settings requires no human intervention.
In summary, grass is a plant, and a lawn is a crafted landscape feature. One can walk through wild grass or mow a patch of it to create a lawn. The existence of a lawn implies an ongoing relationship with the cultivator, whereas grass merely requires suitable conditions to thrive.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A maintained area of grass
A family of plants with jointed stems and sheaths
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Maintenance
Regular mowing, watering, and care
Can grow wild without maintenance
Purpose
Aesthetics, recreation, and landscape design
Ecosystem component, pasture, wild growth
Cultivation
Intentionally planted and cultivated
Naturally occurring, may be seeded for lawns
Area
Typically associated with gardens, parks, homes
Can be found in various natural environments
Compare with Definitions
Lawn
An expanse of short, mowed grass around a residence.
Their lawn was the greenest on the block.
Grass
A plant of the family Poaceae, often found in lawns.
They planted a new type of grass this spring.
Lawn
A cultivated carpet of grass for ornamental or recreational use.
Picnics are best enjoyed on a lush lawn.
Grass
The thin-leaved plants that form the turf of a lawn.
The grass was wet with morning dew.
Lawn
A managed stretch of grass in a yard or park.
The children played on the freshly mowed lawn.
Grass
Any wild plant of the Poaceae family with jointed stems.
Cows grazed on the tall grass in the meadow.
Lawn
A ground cover of grass that is regularly trimmed.
He spent Saturday caring for his lawn.
Grass
A member of the grass family.
Lawn
A landscaped area of grass maintained by humans.
The lawn bordered the entire length of their property.
Grass
The members of the grass family considered as a group.
Lawn
A lawn is an area of soil-covered land planted with grasses and other durable plants such as clover which are maintained at a short height with a lawnmower (or sometimes grazing animals) and used for aesthetic and recreational purposes. Lawns are usually composed only of grass species, subject to weed and pest control, maintained in a green color (e.g., by watering), and are regularly mowed to ensure an acceptable length.
Grass
Any of various plants having slender leaves similar to those of a grass.
Lawn
A plot of grass, usually tended or mowed, as one around a residence or in a park.
Grass
Ground, as on a lawn, that is covered with grass or similar plants.
Lawn
A light, finely woven, cotton or linen fabric.
Grass
Grazing land; pasture.
Lawn
An open space between woods.
Grass
(Slang) Marijuana.
Lawn
Ground (generally in front of or around a house) covered with grass kept closely mown.
Grass
(Electronics) Small variations in amplitude of an oscilloscope display caused by electrical noise.
Lawn
(biology) An overgrown agar culture, such that no separation between single colonies exists.
Grass
Chiefly British Slang An informer.
Lawn
(uncountable) A type of thin linen or cotton.
Grass
To cover with grass.
Lawn
(in the plural) Pieces of this fabric, especially as used for the sleeves of a bishop.
Grass
To grow grass on.
Lawn
A piece of clothing made from lawn.
Grass
To feed (livestock) with grass.
Lawn
An open space between woods.
"Orchard lawns and bowery hollows."
Grass
To become covered with grass.
Lawn
Ground (generally in front of or around a house) covered with grass kept closely mown.
Grass
To graze.
Lawn
A very fine linen (or sometimes cotton) fabric with a rather open texture. Lawn is used for the sleeves of a bishop's official dress in the English Church, and, figuratively, stands for the office itself.
A saint in crape is twice a saint in lawn.
Grass
Any plant of the family Poaceae, characterized by leaves that arise from nodes in the stem and leaf bases that wrap around the stem, especially those grown as ground cover rather than for grain.
Lawn
A field of cultivated and mowed grass
Grass
(countable) Various plants not in family Poaceae that resemble grasses.
Grass
(uncountable) A lawn.
Grass
Marijuana.
Grass
An informer, police informer; one who betrays a group (of criminals, etc) to the authorities.
What just happened must remain secret. Don't be a grass.
Grass
Sharp, closely spaced discontinuities in the trace of a cathode-ray tube, produced by random interference.
Grass
Noise on an A-scope or similar type of radar display.
Grass
The season of fresh grass; spring or summer.
Grass
That which is transitory.
Grass
Asparagus; "sparrowgrass".
Grass
(mining) The surface of a mine.
Grass
(transitive) To lay out on the grass; to knock down (an opponent etc.).
Grass
To act as a grass or informer, to betray; to report on (criminals etc) to the authorities.
Thesaurus:rat out
Grass
(transitive) To cover with grass or with turf.
Grass
(transitive) To feed with grass.
Grass
(transitive) To expose, as flax, on the grass for bleaching, etc.
Grass
(transitive) To bring to the grass or ground; to land.
Grass
Popularly: Herbage; the plants which constitute the food of cattle and other beasts; pasture.
Grass
An endogenous plant having simple leaves, a stem generally jointed and tubular, the husks or glumes in pairs, and the seed single.
Grass
The season of fresh grass; spring.
Two years old next grass.
Grass
Metaphorically used for what is transitory.
Surely the people is grass.
Grass
Marijuana.
Grass
To cover with grass or with turf.
Grass
To expose, as flax, on the grass for bleaching, etc.
Grass
To bring to the grass or ground; to land; as, to grass a fish.
Grass
To produce grass.
Grass
Narrow-leaved green herbage: grown as lawns; used as pasture for grazing animals; cut and dried as hay
Grass
German writer of novels and poetry and plays (born 1927)
Grass
Animal food for browsing or grazing
Grass
Street names for marijuana
Grass
Shoot down, of birds
Grass
Cover with grass;
The owners decided to grass their property
Grass
Spread out clothes on the grass to let it dry and bleach
Grass
Cover with grass
Grass
Feed with grass
Grass
Give away information about somebody;
He told on his classmate who had cheated on the exam
Grass
Green plants with narrow leaves growing from the soil.
Grass covered the rolling hills.
Grass
The vegetation forming the ground cover in fields and pastures.
Grass whispered in the wind across the plain.
Common Curiosities
Is all grass suitable for a lawn?
No, some grass species are better suited for lawns due to durability and growth habits.
Can a lawn consist of more than one type of grass?
Yes, many lawns are a mix of different grass species for resilience and color.
Do lawns benefit the environment?
Yes, they can help reduce erosion, filter pollutants, and provide oxygen.
What is the best type of grass for shady lawns?
Grasses like fescue and shade-tolerant varieties are best for shady areas.
How often should a lawn be mowed?
It varies but typically once a week during the growing season.
Can grass survive in very dry conditions?
Some grass species are drought-resistant but may require special care.
How do you start a new lawn?
A new lawn can be started by seeding, sodding, or installing grass plugs.
Are chemical treatments for lawns safe?
They can be when used correctly, but organic alternatives are available.
Why does grass turn yellow?
Yellowing can be due to overwatering, under-watering, disease, or nutrient deficiency.
What maintenance does a lawn need besides mowing?
Watering, fertilizing, aeration, and weed control are important.
Is it necessary to water the lawn every day?
Not typically; lawns often need watering just a few times a week.
Can I replace my lawn with artificial grass?
Yes, artificial grass is an alternative that requires less maintenance.
How can I make my lawn greener?
Regular maintenance and proper fertilization can keep a lawn green.
What's the difference between lawn care and landscaping?
Lawn care focuses on grass maintenance, while landscaping involves designing and caring for the entire yard.
How long after planting grass can I walk on my lawn?
Generally, wait at least a month before regular use to allow roots to establish.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
