understory

noun

un·​der·​sto·​ry ˈən-dər-ˌstȯr-ē 

1

: an underlying layer of vegetation

specifically : the vegetative layer and especially the trees and shrubs between the forest canopy and the ground cover

2

: the plants that form the understory

Examples of understory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And the 8,000-square-foot understory has the capacity to house up to 10 vehicles. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026

Howard Mill understory burning off of the M1 Road in Lake County. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Imagine a healthy forest, home to a variety of species: Birds are flitting between tree branches, salamanders are sliding through leaf litter, and wolves are tracking the scent of deer through the understory. —Alex Jensen, Fortune, 23 Dec. 2025

The fires took out trees and understory, causing not just siltation but ongoing erosion of stream banks. —Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for understory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• extempore
• feudatory

Kids Definition

understory

noun

un·​der·​sto·​ry ˈən-dər-ˌstōr-ē 

-ˌstȯr-

: the layer of plants and especially the trees and shrubs between the forest canopy and the ground cover