1. to allow livestock to graze on land so extensively that the vegetation is damaged or destroyed
Usage: agriculture; environmental science

Examples

• The rancher had to move his cattle because they were starting to overgraze the pasture.
• Overgrazing can lead to soil erosion and desertification.
• The environmental group warned that the area would be overgrazed if too many sheep were allowed to feed there.
• Farmers must rotate their livestock to prevent overgrazing the same fields.
• The grassland showed clear signs of being overgrazed, with bare patches and stunted growth.
• Wildlife managers worry that deer populations might overgraze the forest understory.