permafrost

noun

per·​ma·​frost ˈpər-mə-ˌfrȯst How to pronounce permafrost (audio)
: a permanently frozen layer at variable depth below the surface in frigid regions of a planet (such as earth)

Examples of permafrost in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Researchers at the University of California, Davis, reported that dozens of Alaska’s most remote waterways are turning from a crystal clear blue color into a cloudy orange hue, and a thawing permafrost may be to blame. David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024 On the way to the permafrost of the Alaskan tundra, eagle-eyed motorists may spot caribou, moose and grizzly bears along the road. Teddy Brokaw, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2024 The permafrost beneath their village, once frozen year-round, has begun to thaw. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 16 May 2024 Warming permafrost is a widespread problem in the Yukon, causing landslides and destabilizing soil. Fiona McGlynn, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024 Generally, the top layer of this permafrost thaws out in the heat of summer, then freezes again in the winter. Matt Simon, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024 Severe drought could fuel wildfires in the Amazon, while sky-high temperatures might speed the loss of glaciers and permafrost in Alaska. Justine Calma, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024 Alaska is warming even faster than the Lower 48, and thawing permafrost there is changing ecosystems dramatically. Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024 That could accelerate the thawing of Arctic permafrost, releasing both carbon dioxide and methane—yet another climate-warming feedback loop. Matt Simon, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'permafrost.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

permanent + frost

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of permafrost was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near permafrost

Cite this Entry

“Permafrost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permafrost. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

permafrost

noun
per·​ma·​frost ˈpər-mə-ˌfrȯst How to pronounce permafrost (audio)
: a permanently frozen layer at variable depth below the surface in frigid regions of a planet (as earth)

More from Merriam-Webster on permafrost

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