¹tropic

noun trop·ic \ˈträ-pik\

: either one of the two imaginary lines that circle the Earth to the north and south of the equator

the tropics : the part of the world that is near the equator where the weather is very warm

Full Definition of TROPIC

: either of the two parallels of terrestrial latitude at a distance of about 23¹⁄₂ degrees north or south of the equator where the sun is directly overhead when it reaches its most northerly or southerly point in the sky — compare tropic of cancer, tropic of capricorn

plural often capitalized : the region lying between the tropics

See tropic defined for English-language learners

See tropic defined for kids

Origin of TROPIC

Middle English tropik, from Latin tropicus of the solstice, from Greek tropikos, from tropē turn

First Known Use: 1527

Rhymes with TROPIC

topic

²tropic

adjective

Definition of TROPIC

: of, relating to, or occurring in the tropics

First Known Use of TROPIC

1551

³tropic

adjective tro·pic \ˈtrō-pik\

Definition of TROPIC

: of, relating to, or characteristic of tropism or of a tropism

of a hormone : influencing the activity of a specified gland

Origin of TROPIC

trop-

First Known Use: 1903

TROPIC Defined for Kids

tropic

noun trop·ic \ˈträ-pik\

Definition of TROPIC for Kids

: either of two parallels of the earth's latitude of which one is about 23¹⁄₂ degrees north of the equator and the other about 23¹⁄₂ degrees south of the equator

tropics plural often cap : the region lying between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn

Medical Dictionary