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dune

/dun/
/dun/
IPA guide

Other forms: dunes

A dune is a natural hill made of sand, either on a beach or in a desert. It's a good idea to bring plenty of water and a camel if you're trekking across sand dunes in the Sahara.

Sometimes people drive special vehicles on the dunes beside the ocean — these are sometimes called "dune buggies." These seaside dunes are formed by a combination of wind and water, while the dunes in a desert are purely the result of wind. The origin of the word dune is somewhat uncertain, although it probably comes from a French word with an older Germanic root.

Definitions of dune
  1. noun
    a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans
    synonyms: sand dune
    see moresee less
    types:
    seif dune
    a long and tall sand dune with a sharp crest; common in the Sahara
    type of:
    ridge
    a long narrow natural elevation or striation
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