Word
permafrost
Phoneticsper·mafrost
UK/pˈɜːmɐfɹˌɒst/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. soil, rock, or sand that stays frozen for at least two years. It is found in very cold places like the Arctic and Antarctica.
n. ground that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years. It consists of soil, rock, or sediment that remains below 0°C for extended periods.
Examples
“The melting of permafrost can cause the ground to sink.”
“Scientists are studying how the thawing of permafrost in Siberia releases large amounts of methane into the atmosphere.”
“The structural integrity of many northern communities is directly tied to the stability of the permafrost, which is increasingly vulnerable to the rapid warming of the polar regions.”
Examples
simple
“The melting of permafrost can cause the ground to sink.”
contextual
“Scientists are studying how the thawing of permafrost in Siberia releases large amounts of methane into the atmosphere.”
complex
“The structural integrity of many northern communities is directly tied to the stability of the permafrost, which is increasingly vulnerable to the rapid warming of the polar regions.”
Real-World Examples
“As permafrost thaws and coastlines erode, some of that carbon is carried into the ocean.” “Prof Gustaf Hugelius is a leading authority on the risks heatwaves pose to permafrost regions.” Etymology
From perma- + frost.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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