boreal

Everyday

1. Of the far north, near the Arctic. tree →
2. Belonging to the cold northern forest belt of conifer trees (the boreal forest or taiga) that stretches across Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia and Russia. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and science lessons about biomes, the boreal forest is the world's largest land biome, with long, cold winters, short summers and evergreen trees like spruce, pine and fir. Animals include moose, lynx, wolves and bears. It tells the reader we are in the cold north.

Examples

• Canada has huge boreal forests. tree →
• The boreal forest is also called the taiga. tree →
• Moose and lynx live in the boreal forest. tree →
• Boreal winters are long and very cold. tree →
• Spruce and pine trees grow well in the boreal zone. tree →
• The northern lights are also called the aurora borealis. tree →
• Boreal forests store a lot of carbon. tree →

Note

Adjective only. Said «BOR-ee-ul». It comes from Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind; «aurora borealis» means the northern dawn (the northern lights). Opposite region: austral (southern).