boreal

[ bawr-ee-uhl, bohr‑ ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the north wind.
2. of or relating to the north.
3. (sometimes initial capital letter) pertaining to Boreas.

boreal

¹

/ ˈbɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the north or the north wind

Boreal

²

/ ˈbɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. of or denoting the coniferous forests in the north of the N hemisphere
2. designating a climatic zone having snowy winters and short summers
3. designating a dry climatic period from about 7500 to 5500 bc , characterized by cold winters, warm summers, and a flora dominated by pines and hazels

boreal

/ bôr′ē-əl /

1. Relating to the north or to northern areas.
2. Relating to the north wind.
3. Relating to the forest areas of the Northern Temperate Zone that are dominated by coniferous trees such as spruce, fir, and pine.

Word History and Origins

Origin of boreal¹

1425–75; late Middle English boriall < Late Latin boreālis northern ( Latin bore(ās) Boreas + -ālis -al ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of boreal¹

C15: from Latin boreās the north wind

Example Sentences

Similarly, fires in boreal forests in Canada, Alaska, and Russia can open up space for snow that’s far more reflective than the forests they replaced, offsetting the heating effect of the emissions released.

From MIT Technology Review

Blanketed by snow, they smolder through the cold, surviving on the carbon-rich fuel of peat and boreal soil and moving very slowly — just 100 to 500 meters over the winter.

From Science News

This is unusual, she says, since boreal fires are usually sparked by random lightning or human activity.

From Science News

Much of this pristine habitat exists in northern latitudes, in Canada’s boreal forests or Greenland’s tundra, which aren’t bursting with biodiversity.

From Science News

As home to nearly 2,000 moose, 14 wolves, and a diverse tapestry of boreal and northern-hardwood forests, Isle Royale is about as wild as a place can get.

From Outside Online

But these were southerns, and exempt by climate from this scourge of the human race in Boreal regions.

From Project Gutenberg

In placing his foot for the first time on boreal land, the doctor experienced much emotion.

From Project Gutenberg

Sailors accustomed to the boreal seas generally consider this phenomenon as the precursor of abundant snow.

From Project Gutenberg

The converse is proved of the Pleistocene by the existence of a boreal fauna, and the widespread evidences of glacial action.

From Project Gutenberg

Two strong, tall, unbending trees, they stand as fit pillars to the entrance of a boreal climate.

From Project Gutenberg