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

Centered around the scenic Highway 30A corridor, the area is home to a unique ecosystem of 15 rare coastal dune lakes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

At high tide, sunbathers crowded into a neat line in front of the dunes, with the surf tickling their toes. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 19 Sep. 2026

The Parker River National Widllife Refuge was established in 1971 and is home to more than 4,700 acres of wetlands, beaches, dunes, forests, bogs, salt marshes and mud flats. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

White flamingos and red-footed falcons floated above the lagoon, framed by a long strip of dune and beach. — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 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