1. A legume plant with purple flowers, widely grown as fodder for livestock; alfalfa.
Usage: Chiefly British and Commonwealth English; 'alfalfa' is the standard U.S. term.

Examples

• The farmer planted lucerne in the south field to feed his cattle.
• Lucerne is a nutritious crop that improves soil nitrogen content.
• The horses grazed on fresh lucerne during the summer months.
• Lucerne hay is commonly used in animal feed throughout Europe.
• The purple flowers of lucerne attract many pollinators to the farm.