overstory

noun

over·​sto·​ry ˈō-vər-ˌstȯr-ē How to pronounce overstory (audio)
1
: the layer of foliage in a forest canopy
2
: the trees contributing to an overstory

Examples of overstory 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.
Longleaf pine forests are naturally open with abundant light pouring through the overstory, almost like a park. — Jamie Dickman, Popular Science, 14 June 2023 The narrative braid, meanwhile — the overstory — grows more tangled. — Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overstory was in 1914

Rhymes for overstory

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Cite this Entry

“Overstory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstory. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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