forest floor

noun

: the richly organic layer of soil and debris characteristic of forested land

Examples of forest floor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many areas damaged by the storm needed thinning to open the forest canopy and let sunlight penetrate to the forest floor, stimulating the growth of grasses and seed-producing plants attractive to wildlife. Arkansas Online, 5 May 2025 Our Happy Place Country: USA; Running Time: 89 Min. Director: Paul Bickel Raya jolts awake on the forest floor—shivering, disoriented, and alone. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 May 2025 From the forest floor to the tree canopies, wildlife officials are trying to get a better picture of the animals that call the park home, and a set of trail cameras are helping the cause, according to a May 12 news release from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025 For just a few weeks from late May to early June, these tiny insects flash in unison, creating waves of light that ripple across the forest floor. Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forest floor

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forest floor was in 1849

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Cite this Entry

“Forest floor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forest%20floor. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

forest floor

noun
: the upper layer of mixed soil and decayed or decaying organic material typical of forested land
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