1
: a plant native to alpine or boreal regions that is often grown for ornament
2
Alpine : a person possessing Alpine physical characteristics

Alpine

2 of 2

adjective

1
often alpine : of, relating to, or resembling the Alps or any mountains
2
often alpine : of, relating to, or growing in the biogeographic zone including the elevated slopes above timberline
3
: of or relating to a group or physical type characterized by a broad head, stockiness, medium height, and brown hair or eyes
4
: of or relating to competitive ski events consisting of slalom and downhill racing compare nordic

Examples of alpine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The trail starts in a glade, crosses a bridge over a creek, then emerges into alpine pasture and scree surrounded by high peaks. William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 Both women have sat at the very top of alpine skiing, becoming the face of the sport and carrying the weight that comes with it. Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Adjective
Or so the folks in the frosty, Alpine regions of Europe will tell you. Doug MacCash, NOLA.com, 22 Nov. 2020 Fast forward 100 years, and to mark the anniversary of the honeymoon adventure, Mercedes-Maybach PR had the idea of recreating, at least in part, the trans-Alpine adventure. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alpine

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French alpin, borrowed from Latin Alpīnus, from Alpēs, the Alps + -īnus -ine entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alpine was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alpine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alpine. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

alpine

adjective
often capitalized
1
a
: of, relating to, or resembling mountains and especially the Alps
b
: of, relating to, or growing on upland slopes above the highest elevation where trees grow
2
capitalized : of or relating to competitive ski events consisting of slalom and downhill racing

Geographical Definition

Alpine

geographical name

city in a mountainous region of western Texas population 5905

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