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

California dunes are shrinking A new study shows California has lost more than half of its coastal sand dunes over the last 165 years, Daniella Segura reports. — Kristin Scharkey, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Five more acres were added in 2024, and following the success of these pilot dunes, the Coastal Commission permitted an expansion to over 30 acres, from the Santa Monica Pier to the Venice Beach border. — Marina Jurica, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Ultimately, the plan is to see if vegetation can take root on the top of the dune to stabilize it. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

Sandbanks is home to the world’s largest baymouth barrier dune system and miles of beaches, bays, and islands. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 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