Pronunciation: [hˈɑːvɪstɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "harvesting" is spelled with three syllables: HAR-vest-ing. The first syllable is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɑr/, like in the word "car". The second syllable has a short vowel sound /ɛ/, like in the word "wet". The final syllable is stressed, and pronounced with a long "i" sound /aɪ/, like in the word "buy". The IPA phonetic transcription for "harvesting" is /ˈhɑrvɪstɪŋ/.
Harvesting is an agricultural term that refers to the process of gathering or collecting mature crops from fields or other growing areas. It involves cutting, picking, or otherwise detaching the plants or their parts, such as fruits, seeds, or vegetables, to obtain the desired produce for consumption, sale, or further processing.
The primary objective of harvesting is to maximize the yield of crops and ensure their quality. Timing is crucial as it influences the taste, texture, nutritional value, and shelf life of the harvested produce. Farmers consider factors like maturity level, weather conditions, and market demand when deciding the most suitable time for harvesting.
Harvesting techniques vary depending on the type of crop being harvested. Common methods include using mechanized tools like combine harvesters, tractors, or hand tools like sickles, scythes, or pruning shears. These tools aid in cutting, gathering, or separating the crops from the plants. In some cases, specialized implements are used to shake or strip the crops from the plants.
After harvesting, the crops are usually sorted, cleaned, and transported for storage, distribution, or processing. Harvested products may be sold fresh or preserved by methods such as canning, drying, freezing, or juicing. Additionally, the leftover plant material after harvesting, like stalks or leaves, may be utilized as animal feed, compost, or as raw material for certain industries.
Overall, harvesting is a vital step in agriculture that ensures the timely and efficient collection of crops for consumption and commerce.
Act of collecting the harvest.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "harvesting" can be traced back to the Old English word "hærfest", which in turn originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*harbitas". This Proto-Germanic word is derived from the Indo-European root "*kerp", meaning to gather, to pluck, or to harvest. The word has evolved over time, taking various forms in different languages, but its fundamental meaning has remained largely consistent throughout history.
