tundra

noun

tun·​dra ˈtən-drə 

 also  ˈtu̇n-

: 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

Synonyms

• campo
• champaign
• down(s)
• grassland
• heath
• lea
• ley
• llano
• moor
• pampa
• plain
• prairie
• savanna
• savannah
• steppe
• veld
• veldt

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 on the Web

Team president Mark Murphy made the announcement in front of about 150,000 Packers fans outside of Lambeau Field, and that selection was greeted by roars of approval in the not-so-frozen tundra. —Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Ice Cove, Nunavut, might be nestled in a literal tundra. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025

Huge cliffs and mountains rise from a shoreline of rocky beaches and tundra flats traversed by polar bear, muskox, caribou, Arctic fox and other cold-climate creatures. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

However, this close to the tree line, their range overlaps with the larger, grumpier, and more aggressive tundra grizzly that is much more dangerous. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Russian, from Russian dialect (northeast) tundra, tundara, from Kildin Sami (Sami language of the northern Kola Peninsula) tūnter

First Known Use

circa 1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tundra

• tundra swan

Kids Definition

tundra

noun

tun·​dra ˈtən-drə 

 also  ˈtu̇n-

: a treeless plain especially of arctic regions having a permanently frozen layer below the surface soil and plant life made up mostly of mosses, lichens, herbs, and very small shrubs