Meaning & use
permafrost
A layer of soil beneath the earth's surface that stays frozen throughout the year.
See it in a sentence
Scientists worry that thawing permafrost in the Arctic could release trapped greenhouse gases.
Buildings in the region are raised on stilts to prevent melting permafrost from destabilizing them.
A note on using this word
Permafrost is defined by duration, not temperature alone; ground must stay frozen for at least two consecutive years to qualify.
Words with a similar meaning
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