Definition of tundra
: a level or rolling treeless plain that is characteristic of arctic and subarctic regions, consists of black mucky soil with a permanently frozen subsoil, and has a dominant vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs; also : a similar region confined to mountainous areas above timberline
From the M-W Editors
Examples of tundra in a Sentence
a report on the arctic tundra of Alaska and the polar bears that inhabit that vast, frozen plain
Recent Examples of tundra from the Web
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He was credited with using radio technology to document the trek of the tundra swan, which covered thousands of miles, from the Arctic to the Mid-Atlantic.
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First, the area is treeless tundra into which eastern Canada’s grizzly bears rarely, if ever, venture.
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My husband, Victor, and I wanted to see bears, not other humans in tundra buggies.
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Once a proper batch of slider was applied, the sled's runners would take off over the tundra like the legs of a crazed fox.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tundra'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of tundra
Russian, from Russian dialect (northeast) tundra, tundara, from Kildin Sami (Sami language of the northern Kola Peninsula) tūnter
First Known Use: circa 1841
Other Ecology Terms
TUNDRA Defined for English Language Learners
tundra
playDefinition of tundra for English Language Learners
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: a large area of flat land in northern parts of the world where there are no trees and the ground is always frozen
TUNDRA Defined for Kids
tundra
playDefinition of tundra for Students
: a treeless plain of arctic regions having a permanently frozen layer below the surface of the soil
Learn More about tundra
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tundra Spanish Central: Translation of tundra Nglish: Translation of tundra for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tundra
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