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

But the Badger State's Sand Valley resort does in fact sit on 12,000 acres of rugged dunes in the Central Sands region of Wisconsin, an area that was covered by the waters of Glacial Lake Wisconsin for thousands of years. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Instead, the island is almost entirely residential, lined with private homes tucked among the dunes and maritime forests. — Abby Price, Southern Living, 7 July 2026

Killpecker is a fee-free area, so enjoy endless hours of being entertained—smaller, flatter dunes are great for those with young children, while plenty of larger, steeper dunes are sure to get your adrenaline pumping. — Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026

The largest port in Europe stretches 24 strategic miles, from the historic flat-bottom barges in the city’s old inner harbor to the dunes and white windmills of the North Sea coast. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 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