Tundra
noun /ˈtʌn.drə/ — A vast, treeless Arctic or sub-Arctic plain
Definition
A vast, flat, treeless landscape in Arctic or sub-Arctic regions — where the ground is permanently frozen beneath the surface and only low-lying plants survive.
Beyond the definition
The landscape of absolute exposure. Nothing in the tundra grows tall enough to shelter you. Its beauty is the beauty of having no place to hide.
Origin & history
From Russian 'тундра' (tundra), from Kildin Sami 'tūndâr' (uplands, treeless plain). The word came into English through Russian exploration of Siberia.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
They drove across the tundra for three days without seeing a tree.
The tundra has a particular silence that you can't experience in any other landscape — it's the silence of enormous distance.
There are people for whom the tundra is home — a landscape of astonishing abundance, once you learn to read it.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Tundra” when the meaning fits your context: A vast, flat, treeless landscape in Arctic or sub-Arctic regions — where the ground is permanently frozen beneath the surface and only low-lying plants survive.
Synonyms
Arctic plain, permafrost zone, barrens, taiga
Antonyms
forest, jungle
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Tundra" mean?
Tundra is noun meaning: A vast, treeless Arctic or sub-Arctic plain. A vast, flat, treeless landscape in Arctic or sub-Arctic regions — where the ground is permanently frozen beneath the surface and only low-lying plants survive.
Where does the word "Tundra" come from?
From Russian 'тундра' (tundra), from Kildin Sami 'tūndâr' (uplands, treeless plain). The word came into English through Russian exploration of Siberia.