tundra

noun tun·dra \ ˈtən-drə also ˈtu̇n- \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

: 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

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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

Today, projects like the Woolly Mammoth Revival led by Harvard’s George Church are trying to use biotechnology to resurrect the extinct species and repopulate the tundras and forests of Siberia and North America.

— alessandra potenza, The Verge, "Inside the high-tech plot to save the northern white rhino from extinction," 6 Apr. 2018
The color was like finding a Caribbean palette in the tundra.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Canadian Rockies a towering visual treat by foot -- or bus (photos, video)," 18 Mar. 2018
Has done very well on the tundra at St. Bonaventure.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Paul Daugherty column: Xavier Nation, say hello to Travis Steele ... or Porter Moser?," 28 Mar. 2018
Unlike the mass-market tundra buggies on Hudson Bay, which park travelers above the action, local guides take no more than six people out in small open boats, affording you the equivalent of courtside seats.

— the editors, Outside Online, "The 25 Trips You Need to Take This Year," 20 Mar. 2018
Jolie wore the same tight shorts sported by Lara in the game, a padded bra and even ventured into a frozen tundra in a spandex outfit.

— eliana dockterman, Time, "The Evolution of Lara Croft From Video Game Vixen to Empowered Movie Heroine," 19 Mar. 2018
The species nests worldwide on the tundra above the Arctic Circle.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Record number of snowy owls sighted in Wisconsin this winter," 17 Feb. 2018
Soft ridges sloped down to the water in a subtle cascade of rocky knolls and tundra pockets.

— Longreads, "The Quest for the Collision Zone: An Arctic Expedition," 12 Mar. 2018
View the northern lights from a mobile hut Kilpisjärvi, Finland Kilpisjärvi, a remote Finnish village, is known for its beautiful Arctic tundra.

— sarah sekula, USA TODAY, "Extreme camping: Hang off a cliff, sleep near a volcano, wake up with penguins," 1 Mar. 2018

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.