Ask Difference

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.
Lawn vs. Grass — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Lawn and Grass

ADVERTISEMENT

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
ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
Previous Comparison
Nonphysical vs. Unphysical
Next Comparison
Valet vs. Footman

Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza 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.
Tayyaba 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.

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons

Trending Terms