boreal

adjective

bo·​re·​al ˈbȯr-ē-əl 

1

: of, relating to, or located in northern regions

boreal waters

2

: of, relating to, or comprising the northern biotic area characterized especially by dominance of coniferous forests

Examples of boreal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, with the largest increases occurring in the Western U.S. and the boreal forests of northern North America and Russia, according to a NASA study. —Simmone Shah, Time, 28 Aug. 2025

Northern Maine’s boreal forests, including in Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, are home to millions of breeding songbirds like warblers, vireos, and thrushes. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

This boreal forest—the southernmost in North America—is one of the most biologically diverse habitats in the entire Midwest. —Emma John, AFAR Media, 20 Aug. 2025

The boreal forest stretching across northern Canada and other Arctic countries is particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English boriall, from Late Latin borealis, from Latin boreas north wind, north, from Greek, from Boreas

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for boreal

• ambassadorial
• combinatorial
• conspiratorial
• gladiatorial
• gubernatorial
• inquisitorial
• mediatorial
• multifactorial
• prosecutorial
• supratentorial
• arboreal
• armorial

Kids Definition

boreal

adjective

bo·​re·​al ˈbō(ə)r-ē-əl 

ˈbȯ(ə)r-

: of, relating to, or located or growing in northern or mountainous regions