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 of tundra

• prairie
• steppe
• plain
• grassland
• savanna

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

Scoresby scoured the tundra with his binoculars and spotted two musk oxen—hairy hummocks on the hill. —Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

The Rise of Nicholas the Noble, from HarperPop, documents the journey of a young orphan named Nicholas in the Arctic tundra with his dog Barry. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

To see the woolly mammoth thunder upon tundra once again. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025

The snaps included images of the Alaskan tundra, Mount Rushmore, Petra, Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx, and even a picture and video of the late Pope Francis. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 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