noun
dune
DOON/duːn/
A hill or ridge of sand formed by wind.
Wind blows loose sand over the crest of the dune.
Etymology
French dune names a sand hill, preserving the landform image of the English word. French is only one possible immediate source, and the suggested deeper relationship with down meaning “hill” remains uncertain.
In context
preventing tons of sand, an inland dune, from a destructive migration.
More examples
- We climb a steep dune to see the ocean.
- Beach grass helps keep the dunes from blowing away.
- Desert dunes slowly shift as the wind moves their sand.
Forms
dune · dunes