steppe

[step]

noun

1. an extensive plain, especially one without trees.

2. The Steppes,

   1. Also called Great Steppe. Also called Eurasian Steppe,. the vast grasslands stretching from Asia to Eastern Europe, bounded on the north by European and Asian Russia and Siberia.

   2. Kirghiz Steppe.

steppe

/ stɛp /

noun

1. (often plural) an extensive grassy plain usually without trees Compare prairie pampas

steppe

1. A vast, semiarid grassland, as found in southeast Europe, Siberia, and central North America.

Word History and Origins

Origin of steppe¹

First recorded in 1665–75; from Russian step' or Ukrainian step; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of steppe¹

C17: from Old Russian step lowland

Example Sentences

With their thick coats, curved tusks, and towering size, they grazed the vast steppes that stretched across the northern hemisphere.

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The bomb’s blast wave cut a visible path in the steppe, flattening the tall grass as it sped toward the platform.

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They then spent eight days on the road with a Chinese driver, travelling through mountains and lush steppes, which left Mr Sun in awe.

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"And we're involved in restoring tropical forest, dry deciduous forest, grassland, steppe - you name it - we're trying to help people put those plants back in place."

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“The vibration from San Francisco goes up to the steppes of Kazakhstan,” said Sanzhar, who is staying at a hotel in the Nob Hill neighborhood.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• grassland 
• prairie 
• savanna