subarctic

adjective

sub·​arc·​tic ˌsəb-ˈärk-tik 

-ˈär-tik

: of, relating to, characteristic of, or being regions immediately outside of the arctic circle or regions similar to these in climate or conditions of life

subarctic noun

Examples of subarctic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the West has a number of winners once again, the full list covers 15 states and one U.S. territory—spanning subarctic mountain ranges and tropical Caribbean rain forest, red-rock deserts and biodiverse Appalachian woodlands. —Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

Wolverine populations are distributed throughout boreal regions in the northern hemisphere, including arctic and subarctic regions and western North America, the Wolverine Foundation noted. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 30 May 2025

Gathered below are some of Morin’s photos of the people, animals, and landscapes of the Earth’s arctic and subarctic regions. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2025

Research into Arctic and subarctic populations has revealed fascinating biological adaptations to extreme cold. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subarctic

• antarctic
• holarctic
• arctic
• palaearctic
• palearctic
• subantarctic

Kids Definition

subarctic

adjective

sub·​arc·​tic ˌsəb-ˈärk-tik 

ˈsəb-ˈärt-ik

: of, relating to, or being regions immediately outside of the arctic circle or regions similar to these in climate or conditions of life

subarctic waters

subarctic plants