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

The team has eradicated every invasive casuarina pine, the Australian import whose needles poison the native plants beneath it, along with invasive sea grapes that chew up the dunes. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026

The Swiftiephylus insects are closely associated with Australian she-oaks, trees and shrubs adapted to environments ranging from tropical forests to coastal dunes and extreme heat, according to UC Riverside. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

At the furthest end, there’s a nature reserve of coastal dunes and pine forests studded with World War II bunkers. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

The seagrape trees and dunes offer a chance for wildlife lovers to spot plenty of birds along with other creatures that call these beaches home, and the water is exceptionally calm for an Atlantic shore. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 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