tundra

noun

tun·​dra ˈtən-drə 

 also  ˈtu̇n-

: a level or rolling treeless plain that is characteristic of arctic and subarctic regions, consists of black mucky soil with a permanently frozen subsoil, and has a dominant vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs

also : a similar region confined to mountainous areas above timberline

Synonyms

• prairie
• steppe
• plain
• grassland
• savanna

Examples of tundra in a Sentence

a report on the arctic tundra of Alaska and the polar bears that inhabit that vast, frozen plain

Recent Examples on the Web

Operators such as Frontiers North Adventures will take you on a tundra buggy tour to glimpse the Arctic’s most majestic predators. —Gaby Keiderling, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was the talk of the tundra after a scintillating second half in 2023, and expectations were through the roof for the former first-round pick heading into 2024 as a result. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

On the smaller side, species like the river otter and mink can be found feasting on fish by the water’s edge, while lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of a wolverine roaming the tundra—and these are far from the only predators that call Katmai home. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

The idea of Matos actually sustaining his hot streak is more than a baseball acorn to dig out of the winter tundra. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Russian, from Russian dialect (northeast) tundra, tundara, from Kildin Sami (Sami language of the northern Kola Peninsula) tūnter

First Known Use

circa 1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tundra

• tundra swan

Kids Definition

tundra

noun

tun·​dra ˈtən-drə 

 also  ˈtu̇n-

: a treeless plain especially of arctic regions having a permanently frozen layer below the surface soil and plant life made up mostly of mosses, lichens, herbs, and very small shrubs