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

Traverse rolling prairies, hike through boreal forests, and witness incredible biodiversity. —Outside Online, 28 June 2024

Originating from the temperate deciduous forests of Eurasia, the little bird is now common in boreal coniferous forests at northern latitudes. —Anders Brodin, Scientific American, 25 June 2024

In boreal forests, where the increases were the largest, large amounts of carbon have been released by extreme fires, threatening to create a feedback effect that further magnifies warming, Cunningham said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 June 2024

Campers have unlimited access to the springs, reached via a boardwalk — the original was built in 1942 by American forces — over a warm-water swamp and a boreal forest so unusual in nurturing species like orchids that it was originally named Tropical Valley. —Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2024

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

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