What does tropics mean?
The tropics are the two broad zones of Earth lying between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere. Within these regions, the Sun is directly overhead at some point during the year, and the climate is generally warm, although distance from the Equator and elevation can produce substantial variation. The word is normally plural: “tropic” refers to an individual boundary line, whereas “the tropics” refers to the regions or, collectively, the tropical zone. In general writing, the term often evokes lush vegetation, humid forests, and warm climates, but it remains a geographical designation rather than a synonym for every hot place. Its unusual history is connected to astronomy: the tropics are named from the turning of the Sun's apparent yearly movement at the solstices. The word remains standard in British and American English and is used in geography, meteorology, travel, ecology, and cultural discussion.
nounThe regions of Earth between the Equator and either the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn; collectively, the equatorial region in which the Sun is directly overhead at some time during the year.
- The two latitudinal zones extending from the Equator to the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, or the equatorial regions collectively.
"The island's lush rainforest is typical of the tropics."
"Bananas grow in the warm, humid tropics."
"The ship crossed the Tropics of Capricorn during its voyage across the Pacific."
The word is normally used as a plural noun; “tropic” is the singular form used for an individual line of latitude.
"The region lies deep within the tropics."
The tropics are named for the Sun's turning points: within these zones, it can shine directly overhead.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tropics come from?
The word entered English in the early 16th century from French tropiques, the plural of tropique. French borrowed Medieval Latin tropici, plural of tropicus, from Greek tropikos, meaning “pertaining to the turning of the sun,” from tropein, “to turn.” The name refers to the turning points of the Sun's apparent yearly journey at the solstices; related English forms include tropical, tropism, and subtropic.
Related word forms
How tropics is actually used
The term is geographical and generally formal-to-neutral. In broader discussion, it may evoke hot, humid, and luxuriant environments, although its precise geographical meaning is based on latitude.
Easily confused with tropics
A tropic is either of the two lines of latitude marking the outer limits of the tropics, while the tropics are the broad regions surrounding the Equator.