dune

noun

ˈdün 

also ˈdyün

: a hill or ridge of sand piled up by the wind

dunelike

ˈdün-ˌlīk 

also ˈdyün-

adjective

Examples of dune in a Sentence

We wandered over the dunes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Many travelers opt to take a four-wheeler down the Sand Highway, a one-way trail into a canyon on the boundary of the dunes, or on the South Boundary Trail, which winds along the eastern side of the main dune area. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2026

Zampirri says the city declared an emergency about three weeks ago after a series of winter storms stripped away several feet of sand, which threatened the storm drainage system that runs along the dunes. —Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026

Camouflaged in a valley speckled with just a handful of villas and farmsteads, the 16 stone houses overlook the naked dunes and sensational sunsets of Livadia Bay. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026

The wash-and-ridge terrain includes dunes and a sand bowl. —Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English dūn down — more at down

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dune

• dune buggy
• sand dune

Rhymes for dune

• boon
• brune
• coon
• croon
• goon
• hewn
• hoon
• june
• loon
• moon
• noon
• poon

Kids Definition

dune

noun

ˈd(y)ün 

: a hill or ridge of sand piled up by the wind