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

Even in the dark, damp understory of a Thai forest, this scorpion knows what’s moving around it. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

Many of these flowering trees are naturally found in the understory of mature woodlands and tolerate shade. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026

House Bill 955 would change the flower to the native sweetbay magnolia, a small evergreen understory tree with a fragrant white flower. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026

This wonderful, hardy, and disease-resistant tree gradually develops into a beautiful understory thicket, providing habitat for wildlife. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026

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