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

Brigantine city manager Tiger Platt said the storm also wiped out about 30 feet of dunes, leaving homes and streets more vulnerable to flooding during future storms. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

The decision to hide every building below the dune line, plant native species along every pathway, and leave the coastline visually intact required more money and engineering than conventional construction would have. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

The coastal road that leads to Empire Bluff lies out of sight, just beyond the dunes. — Mike Norton, Midwest Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Outside, a sparkling, if modestly sized, pool with plush lounge chairs sat back from the dunes, overlooking the ocean. — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 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