steppe

Everyday

A huge, flat area of grassland with few trees, especially in eastern Europe and Asia. tree →

In the lessons

In geography lessons the steppe is one of the grassland biomes, like the prairie in North America and the pampas in South America; it has hot summers, cold winters and little rain. In history, nomads rode horses across the steppes. Phrases: the Russian steppe, the Mongolian steppes.

Examples

• Herds of horses roamed the steppe. tree →
• The steppes of Central Asia stretch for thousands of miles. tree →
• Few trees grow on the steppe because it is dry. tree →
• Nomads lived in tents on the steppe. tree →
• The steppe is like the prairie of North America. tree →
• Ukraine has wide steppes in the south. tree →

Note

Spelled with two p's and an e at the end; sounds like step. Do not confuse with step. Similar grasslands: prairie (North America), pampas (South America), savanna (Africa, with more trees and hotter).

In Jewish tradition

In geography lessons the steppe is one of the grassland biomes, like the prairie in North America and the pampas in South America; it has hot summers, cold winters and little rain. In history, nomads rode horses across the steppes. Phrases: the Russian steppe, the Mongolian steppes.

Examples

• And Saul cast the spear; for he said: 'I will smite David even to the wall.' And David stepped aside out of his presence twice. (Prophets 1SA.18.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelled with two p's and an e at the end; sounds like step. Do not confuse with step. Similar grasslands: prairie (North America), pampas (South America), savanna (Africa, with more trees and hotter).