1. A dense thicket of shrubby vegetation found in Mediterranean regions, characterized by low-growing evergreen plants.
Usage: Also spelled 'maquis' in English; from Italian; Geography/ecology term

Examples

• The hikers navigated through the dense macchia along the Tuscan coast.
• Macchia vegetation is adapted to the hot, dry summers of the Mediterranean climate.
• The island's interior was covered in impenetrable macchia.
• Many aromatic plants like rosemary and thyme grow wild in the macchia.
• The macchia provides habitat for numerous bird and insect species.