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

Realizing the dunes desperately needed restoring, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began looking for sand in the years that followed. —Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 5 May 2024

The labyrinth looked like something from a fantasy world—not unlike the Mines of Moria from Lord of the Rings, or Aladdin’s treasure cave among the dunes. —Corey Buhay, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2024

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

Kids Definition

dune

noun

ˈd(y)ün 

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