Siberia

American  

[sahy-beer-ee-uh] / saɪˈbɪər i ə /

noun

1. Russian Sibir.  an extensive region in the Russian Federation in N Asia, extending from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific.

2. any undesirable or isolated locale, job, etc., to which one is assigned as punishment, a mark of disfavor, or the like.

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Siberia British  

/ saɪˈbɪərɪə /

noun

1. a vast region of Russia and N Kazakhstan: extends from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific and from the Arctic Ocean to the borders with China and Mongolia; colonized after the building of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Area: 13 807 037 sq km (5 330 896 sq miles)

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Siberia Cultural  

1. Region of Russia stretching from north-central to northeastern Asia.

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Discover More

As a consequence of Siberia's harsh conditions and its historical function as a place of punishment, to be “sent to Siberia” has become a metaphor for demotion, disgrace, or other forms of status diminution.

Known for its vast space, long and severely cold winters, and few inhabitants widely scattered in small settlements, Siberia has been for many centuries a place of political and criminal exile for Russians who anger the government's authorities.

Other Word Forms

• Siberian
  adjective
• trans-Siberian
  adjective

Example Sentences

"It was like being in the depths of Siberia," one local was quoted as saying.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Known as the Power of Siberia 2, the long-discussed project raises the risk that Beijing becomes overreliant on Russia for energy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

A strong east to north-easterly wind brought particularly cold air from Siberia and the Arctic leading to widespread snowfall.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

In the northern hemisphere, there are two such areas, one near Canada and another over Siberia.

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

In the early morning hours of June 30, 1908, in Central Siberia, a giant fireball was seen moving rapidly across the sky.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• oblivion