[prair-ee] 
| 1. | an extensive, level or slightly undulating, mostly treeless tract of land in the Mississippi valley, characterized by a highly fertile soil and originally covered with coarse grasses, and merging into drier plateaus in the west. Compare pampas, savanna, steppe. |
| 2. | a tract of grassland; meadow. |
| 3. | (in Florida) a low, sandy tract of grassland often covered with water. |
| 4. | Southern U.S. wet grassland; marsh. |
| 5. | (initial capital letter ) a steam locomotive having a two-wheeled front truck, six driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck. |
| prairie (prâr'ē) Pronunciation Key
An extensive area of flat or rolling grassland, especially the large plain of central North America. |