1
: a plant native to alpine or boreal regions that is often grown for ornament
2
Alpine : a person possessing Alpine physical characteristics

Alpine

2 of 2

adjective

1
often alpine : of, relating to, or resembling the Alps or any mountains
2
often alpine : of, relating to, or growing in the biogeographic zone including the elevated slopes above timberline
3
: of or relating to a group or physical type characterized by a broad head, stockiness, medium height, and brown hair or eyes
4
: of or relating to competitive ski events consisting of slalom and downhill racing compare nordic

Examples of alpine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Fast forward 100 years, and to mark the anniversary of the honeymoon adventure, Mercedes-Maybach PR had the idea of recreating, at least in part, the trans-Alpine adventure. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2025 Former Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez has been backed by ex-Alpine team principal, Otmar Szafnauer, for a move to the Cadillac F1 team for the 2026 season. — Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025 Or so the folks in the frosty, Alpine regions of Europe will tell you. — Doug MacCash, NOLA.com, 22 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French alpin, borrowed from Latin Alpīnus, from Alpēs, the Alps + -īnus -ine entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alpine was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alpine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alpine. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

alpine

adjective
often capitalized
1
a
: of, relating to, or resembling mountains and especially the Alps
b
: of, relating to, or growing on upland slopes above the highest elevation where trees grow
2
capitalized : of or relating to competitive ski events consisting of slalom and downhill racing

Geographical Definition

Alpine

geographical name

city in a mountainous region of western Texas

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