subtropical

adjective

sub·​trop·​i·​cal ˌsəb-ˈträ-pi-kəl How to pronounce subtropical (audio)
variants or less commonly subtropic
: of, relating to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone
subtropical environment
subtropical grasses

Examples of subtropical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By contrast, the plants pollinated by animals were related to subtropical palms, silk-cotton trees and other plants that typically grow in dry tropical climates. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Sand tiger sharks are a large, slow-moving shark species found in temperate and subtropical waters around the world, including the eastern United States, South Africa, and Australia. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 Forecasters said the storm is expected to move across the open waters of the subtropical central Atlantic well east and northeast of Bermuda. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025 Everglades National Park is an environmentally critical subtropical wetland, home to threatened species and one of the world’s largest mangrove ecosystems. Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subtropical

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subtropical was in 1829

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Cite this Entry

“Subtropical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtropical. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

subtropical

adjective
sub·​trop·​i·​cal ˌsəb-ˈträp-i-kəl How to pronounce subtropical (audio)
ˈsəb-
variants also subtropic
: of, relating to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone
subtropical forests

More from Merriam-Webster on subtropical

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