tundra

noun

tun·dra | \ˈtən-drə also ˈtu̇n-

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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about tundra

Keep scrolling for more

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

The blue-green-white space checks off several ecosystem boxes, including marine, coastal forest, montane, subalpine and alpine tundra environments. — Andrea Sachs, chicagotribune.com, "This summer, stop by the 23 U.S. locales that have risen to become UNESCO World Heritage sites," 4 May 2018 But according to some pilots, when conditions are good, touching down on the frozen tundra is smoother than landing at a regular airport. — Amanda Greene, Woman's Day, "10 Terrifying Airport Runways," 27 Apr. 2011 In a nondescript office park in Elkton, Maryland, a few miles from the Delaware state line, two new labs recreate blistering deserts and frigid tundras. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, "Inside the Futuristic Labs That Forge Gore-Tex," 28 Nov. 2016 The park service bans hovercraft over concerns about noise and potential damage to wetlands and tundra. — Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "U.S. Supreme Court agrees to reconsider case of Alaska moose hunter and his hovercraft," 18 June 2018 For those who haven't, a tussock is a small, compact tuft of grass that covers huge areas of the tundra, often in wetland environments. — Holly Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "When the Brooks family ventured to the Brooks Range for a summer adventure, winter reared its head," 1 July 2018 Film fest highlights global cycling adventures Explore Nunavut’s frozen tundra and the heat of the Australian Outback, see a father and son sharing their first overnight bike outing, and follow a woman on a solo cycling adventure. — Kari Bodnarchuk, BostonGlobe.com, "Here, there, and everywhere," 9 May 2018 The ban included plastic takeout containers, which were littering the tundra. — Devin Kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Somebody’s got to do it.’ Anchorage Assembly members consider banning plastic shopping bags," 8 July 2018 The creatures are native to the Arctic tundra, which includes parts of northern Alaska, Canada and Siberia. — Aaron Robertson, New York Times, "An Unusual Jailbird Is Found at Rikers Island: A Snowy Owl," 3 July 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.