subtropical
adjective
sub·trop·i·cal
ˌsəb-ˈträ-pi-kəl 
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
At the time, present-day North America had a subtropical climate and was split in half by a seaway that ran from the Gulf of Mexico north to the Arctic.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026
But a kona storm, a type of seasonal subtropical cyclone, brings warmer, moisture-rich winds from the south to southwest, which can bring torrential rainfall, according to the weather service.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Tour properties include dramatic subtropical and desert landscaping, a front yard devoted entirely to succulents, kinetic metal and mosaic art, resident goats and a stop with 17 fruit trees alongside proteas and exotic succulents.
—Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, the lagging cutoff low to our west will establish an extended plume of moisture from the eastern Pacific into Texas, with the subtropical jet providing opportunities for spokes of energy to rotate around the cutoff low and track over the state.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtropical
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.
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026
But a kona storm, a type of seasonal subtropical cyclone, brings warmer, moisture-rich winds from the south to southwest, which can bring torrential rainfall, according to the weather service.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Tour properties include dramatic subtropical and desert landscaping, a front yard devoted entirely to succulents, kinetic metal and mosaic art, resident goats and a stop with 17 fruit trees alongside proteas and exotic succulents.
—Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, the lagging cutoff low to our west will establish an extended plume of moisture from the eastern Pacific into Texas, with the subtropical jet providing opportunities for spokes of energy to rotate around the cutoff low and track over the state.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtropical
Cite this Entry
“Subtropical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtropical. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subtropical
adjective
sub·trop·i·cal
ˌsəb-ˈträp-i-kəl
ˈsəb-
variants
also subtropic
: of, relating to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone
subtropical forests
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
