subtropical

adjective

sub·​trop·​i·​cal ˌsəb-ˈträ-pi-kəl How to pronounce subtropical (audio)
variants or less commonly subtropic
: of, relating to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone
subtropical environment
subtropical grasses

Examples of subtropical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the sea In tropical and subtropical climates, seaside developers have been replicating the artificial beach since the European seaside-resort model gave way to a tropical one in the middle of the last century. Sarah Stodola, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025 False killer whales can weigh up to 3,000 pounds and generally live in deep offshore waters in tropical and subtropical oceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Carl Zhang, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025 The establishing scenes of Islands feel like something out of a James M. Cain novel — a wily noir, in this case drenched in subtropical heat and blinding sunshine. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025 Despite the subtropical trappings, his stasis has a fundamental ordinariness, and that turns his trouble in paradise into a more universal call to stop sleepwalking through life. Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subtropical

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subtropical was in 1829

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subtropical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtropical. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

subtropical

adjective
sub·​trop·​i·​cal ˌsəb-ˈträp-i-kəl How to pronounce subtropical (audio)
ˈsəb-
variants also subtropic
: of, relating to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone
subtropical forests

More from Merriam-Webster on subtropical

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