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timberline

noun
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tim·​ber·​line | \ ˈtim-bər-ˌlīn How to pronounce timberline (audio) \

Definition of timberline

: the upper limit of arboreal growth in mountains or high latitudes

— called also tree line

Examples of timberline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The easier higher slopes gave way below the timberline to defiles lined with tree roots and narrow ravines. — Simon Akam, Outside Online, "You Won’t Pass Chamonix’s Mountain Guiding Test," 27 Nov. 2019 Boreal toads live in Rocky Mountain wetlands above 8,000 feet up to timberline. — Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, "Battle to save Colorado high-country toads goes microbial with ground-breaking Purple Rain treatment," 13 July 2019 In the mountains, windy especially above timberline with isolated thunderstorms. — Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, "Denver weather: Skies clearing after chance of morning rain," 19 June 2019 The best lichen growth on the north side of the Alaska Range is among the spruces at the edge of the timberline. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, "In Interior Alaska, snow came late and then stuck around with a vengeance," 10 Apr. 2018 After the fire burned through Fountaingrove, a cascade of sparks began hitting the timberlines on the east side of six-lane Highway 101. — Scott Wilson, Washington Post, "Devastated by wildfire, a California city weighs rebuilding amid a housing crunch," 14 Jan. 2018 The weather service says above timberline, the powerful winds are likely to produce whiteout conditions and dangerously cold wind chills. — Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, "Firefighters get handle on two wind-blown wildfires in Boulder County that prompted hundreds of evacuations," 10 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'timberline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of timberline

1867, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for timberline

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The first known use of timberline was in 1867

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Statistics for timberline

Last Updated

2 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Timberline.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timberline. Accessed 22 January 2020.

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More Definitions for timberline

timberline

noun
How to pronounce timberline (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of timberline

: an imaginary line on a mountain or high area of land that marks the level above which trees do not grow

See the full definition for timberline in the English Language Learners Dictionary

timberline

noun
tim·​ber·​line | \ ˈtim-bər-ˌlīn How to pronounce timberline (audio) \

Kids Definition of timberline

: the upper limit beyond which trees do not grow (as on mountains)

More from Merriam-Webster on timberline

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with timberline

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about timberline

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