Definitions for RURALˈrʊər əl

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

ru•ral^*ˈrʊər əl(adj.)

characteristic of the country, country life, or country people; rustic.
living in the country.
of or pertaining to agriculture.

^* Syn: rural and rustic are terms that refer to the country. rural is the neutral term: rural education. It is also used subjectively, usu. in a favorable sense: the charm of rural life. rustic may have either favorable or unfavorable connotations. In a derogatory sense, it means provincial, boorish, or crude; in a favorable sense, it may suggest simplicity and lack of sophistication: rustic manners.

Origin of rural:

1375–1425; < MF < L rūrālis=rūr-, s. of rūs the country, rural land +-ālis -al1

ru′ral•ly(adv.)

Princeton's WordNet

rural(adj)
living in or characteristic of farming or country life
"rural people"; "large rural households"; "unpaved rural roads"; "an economy that is basically rural"
rural(adj)
of or relating to the countryside as opposed to the city
"rural electrification"; "rural free delivery"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

rural(adjective)ˈrʊər əl
in or relating to the country, not a town or city
a rural town; rural life

Wiktionary

rural(Adjective)
pertaining to less-populated, non-urban areas

Origin: From rural < ruralis, from rus + -alis.

Webster Dictionary

Rural(adj)
of or pertaining to the country, as distinguished from a city or town; living in the country; suitable for, or resembling, the country; rustic; as, rural scenes; a rural prospect
Rural(adj)
of or pertaining to agriculture; as, rural economy