# tundra

/ˈtəndɹə/ (US) · /tˈʌndɹɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tundra
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. arctic biome

noun · CEFR B2

a large, flat area of land in the coldest parts of the world where the ground is always frozen and trees cannot grow.

For teachers: a vast, treeless biome found in Arctic and subarctic regions, characterized by permafrost, extremely low temperatures, and vegetation consisting mainly of mosses, lichens, and low shrubs.

- During the short summer, the frozen tundra turns into a wet marsh full of birds.
- The melting of the Arctic tundra due to rising global temperatures threatens to release vast quantities of methane currently trapped in the permafrost.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the biome in general, but countable when referring to specific geographic regions.

## Examples

- The arctic tundra is home to many hardy animals.
- During the short summer months, the surface of the tundra thaws enough to allow small plants to bloom.
- As global temperatures rise, the permafrost beneath the Siberian tundra is beginning to melt, potentially releasing vast quantities of methane into the atmosphere.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.