WordGarden.iodairyman
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈeərɪmən/
US
Meanings
Noun
a man employed to milk cows or make or handle dairy products
Beyond the definition
A dairyman isn't just anyone who likes cheese! It's an older term—though still used today—for a man who owns, manages, or works on a dairy farm. He helps care for cows (and sometimes goats or sheep) so they can produce milk, cream, butter, cheese, and other dairy products. Think rolling hills, contented cows, and the smell of fresh milk—that's where you'll find a dairyman at work. In older use, it could also refer to someone who sold dairy products in the local area.
The term can evoke a simpler time when local farms were more common and people knew exactly where their milk came from. While large-scale farming has changed how dairy is produced and sold, dairymen still play an important role in bringing dairy foods to the table. You might read about them in stories set on rural farms or in writing about traditional farming.
The word "dairyman" refers to a man involved in the production and/or sale of dairy products—primarily milk, but also cream, butter, cheese, yogurt, and more. Traditionally, it described someone who owned and operated a dairy farm, caring for cows (and sometimes goats or sheep) and managing all aspects of milk production. This could include breeding livestock and growing feed, milking the animals, processing the milk, and checking its quality.
However, "dairyman" isn't only about farming. Historically, it could also mean a dealer in milk and other dairy products—someone who transported and sold them directly to customers. While modern distribution systems have largely replaced this specific role, the term can still carry a local, old-fashioned association.
The use of "dairyman" is becoming less common as the agricultural industry evolves, and gender-neutral terms like "dairy farmer" are often used instead. Still, the word retains a certain charm and often appears in literature, historical contexts, or when referring to smaller, family-run operations. You might encounter it in stories set on rural farms, articles about traditional farming practices, or even in the names of local businesses.
For example: "Old Man Hemlock was known throughout the county as a hardworking dairyman, dedicated to producing the finest milk." Or, "The small town relied heavily on its local dairyman for fresh cream and butter." So, while the industry changes, the image of the diligent dairyman—tending to his cows and providing nourishment to the community—remains a powerful and nostalgic one.
Examples
- 1
Farm work
The dairyman checked the herd before the first truck came for the milk.
- Usage
an older word, often used for a man who runs a dairy farm or works in the milk business
- 2
Work history
Her grandfather worked as a dairyman for nearly forty years.
- 3
Milk prices
Local dairymen were worried about the falling price of milk.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dairymannoun
Forms
- dairymenpluralnoun