1. Plural of cheatgrass; invasive annual grasses of the genus Bromus, especially Bromus tectorum, that spread rapidly in arid and semi-arid regions and are difficult to control.
Usage: Chiefly North American; Often used in ecological and agricultural contexts; Also called downy brome or downy chess

Examples

• Cheatgrasses have invaded millions of acres of rangeland in the western United States.
• The spread of cheatgrasses threatens native plant communities and increases wildfire risk.
• Ranchers struggle to control cheatgrasses because they germinate in fall and early spring.
• Cheatgrasses are named for their ability to 'cheat' livestock out of good forage.
• Climate change may favor the expansion of cheatgrasses in semi-arid ecosystems.