chaparral

noun

chap·​ar·​ral ˌsha-pə-ˈral How to pronounce chaparral (audio)
-ˈrel
1
: a thicket of dwarf evergreen oaks
broadly : a dense impenetrable thicket of shrubs or dwarf trees
2
: an ecological community composed of shrubby plants adapted to dry summers and moist winters that occurs especially in southern California

Examples of chaparral in a Sentence

the rabbit darted into the chaparral
Recent Examples on the Web It's often found in urban and suburban areas, as well as desert and chaparral habitats throughout Arizona. Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 26 Sep. 2024 On the right, there is a slight parting and narrow unsigned path of some 50 yards through chaparral to the mountain summit of 1,762 feet, marked by a metal stake in a mound of stones. Jim Holden, The Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2024 The fire is burning in thick chaparral that flourished during the rainy season but has since dried out, providing prime conditions for a fast-moving wildfire. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2024 During the wee hours that night, a bobcat slipped from the chaparral and sat down next to Peackoe’s grave as if to say goodbye. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for chaparral 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chaparral.' 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

Spanish, from chaparro dwarf evergreen oak, from Basque txapar

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chaparral was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near chaparral

Cite this Entry

“Chaparral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaparral. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

chaparral

noun
chap·​ar·​ral ˌshap-ə-ˈral How to pronounce chaparral (audio)
-ˈrel
1
: a thicket of dwarf evergreen oaks
also : a dense thicket
2
: an ecological community that is found especially in parts of southern California and is composed of shrubby plants that grow well in dry sunny summers and moist winters

More from Merriam-Webster on chaparral

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