chaparral

[ shap-uh-ral, chap- ]

/ ˌʃæp əˈræl, ˌtʃæp- /

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noun Southwestern U.S.

a dense growth of shrubs or small trees.

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Origin of chaparral

1835–45, Americanism;<Spanish, equivalent to chaparr(o) evergreen oak (<Basque tshapar) + -al collective suffix

Words nearby chaparral

Chaozhou, chap, Chapala, chaparajos, chaparejos, chaparral, chaparral bird, chaparral cock, chaparral lily, chaparral pea, chapati

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use chaparral in a sentence

Lisa Phillips, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said current low moisture levels in the area’s live chaparral vegetation are not usually seen until July.
California facing drought crisis as water shortages mount and fire danger escalates|Diana Leonard, Laris Karklis|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
Instead, says Forest Service silviculturist Dana Walsh, they’ve been replaced by thick mats of chaparral, a fire-prone shrub that has squeezed out the forest’s return.
What the complex math of fire modeling tells us about the future of California’s forests|Amy Nordrum|January 18, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The blows of the ax, off in the chaparral, were louder in their ears now, and they could hear a mumble of voices.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
Both boys were so hard at work that they did not notice the sound of voices had died out in the chaparral.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews

"Oh, he's chasing a two-legged rat through the chaparral," answered the fat boy carelessly.
The Pony Rider Boys on the Blue Ridge|Frank Gee Patchin
Under his pony's bridle he had tucked some sprigs of chaparral to keep away the deer flies.
Sixes and Sevens|O. Henry
The impetuous Gila rolled along its yellowish stream between two banks clothed with wood and thick chaparral.
The Pirates of the Prairies|Gustave Aimard

British Dictionary definitions for chaparral

chaparral

/ (ˌtʃæpəˈræl, ˌʃæp-) /

noun

(in the southwestern US) a dense growth of shrubs and trees, esp evergreen oaks

Word Origin for chaparral

C19: from Spanish, from chaparra evergreen oak

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

chaparral

Origin of chaparral

Words nearby chaparral

Words related to chaparral

How to use chaparral in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for chaparral

Word Origin for chaparral