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

• campo
• champaign
• down(s)
• grassland
• heath
• lea
• ley
• llano
• moor
• pampa
• plain
• prairie
• savanna
• savannah
• steppe
• veld
• veldt

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

What's next: The tundra carbon finding is a signal of other fundamental shifts yet to come across the Arctic. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

With a land mass roughly a quarter the size of the US and a population of only 60,000, Greenland remains a mostly untouched tundra refuge. —Jordan Riefe, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2024

Each of these developments — and more — are allowing the tundra to transition into a net source of greenhouse gases, which scientists discovered from looking at 2024's data as well as two decades of observations. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

The tundra has become a source of emissions, rather than a carbon sink, the authors said. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024

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