forest floor

noun

: the richly organic layer of soil and debris characteristic of forested land

Examples of forest floor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Early spring brought delicate ephemerals like trilliums, bluebells and trout lilies to forest floors. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Consequently, fewer oaks would sprout up out of the forest floor to replenish the woods. — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 2 Sep. 2026

Protected by the Guarani for generations, towering trees rise here as toucans and other birds fly through the canopy and coatis — a mammal in the raccoon family — roam the forest floor. — Marina Dias, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2026

Dense forests with multiple layers of leaves intercepting sunlight have a high leaf area index score, while open forests that allow more light to reach the forest floor have a lower score. — Regan E. Dunn, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for forest floor

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore
• heretofore

Kids Definition

forest floor

noun

: the upper layer of mixed soil and decayed or decaying organic material typical of forested land