tundra

[ tuhn-druh, too n- ]
/ ˈtʌn drə, ˈtʊn- /

noun

one of the vast, nearly level, treeless plains of the arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America.

Origin of tundra

1835–45; < Russian túndra < Lappish; compare Kola Lappish tūndar flat elevated area

Example sentences from the Web for tundra

British Dictionary definitions for tundra

tundra
/ (ˈtʌndrə) /

noun

  1. a vast treeless zone lying between the ice cap and the timberline of North America and Eurasia and having a permanently frozen subsoil
  2. (as modifier)tundra vegetation

Word Origin for tundra

C19: from Russian, from Lapp tundar hill; related to Finnish tunturi treeless hill

Scientific definitions for tundra

tundra
[ tŭndrə ]

A cold, treeless, usually lowland area of far northern regions. The lower strata of soil of tundras are permanently frozen, but in summer the top layer of soil thaws and can support low-growing mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrubs.

Cultural definitions for tundra

tundra

A land area near the North Pole where the soil is permanently frozen a few feet underground.

notes for tundra

There are no trees on the tundra: the vegetation is primarily lichens and mosses.

notes for tundra

Tundra is widespread in Lapland and in the far northern portions of Alaska, Canada, and the Soviet Union.