haboob

noun

ha·​boob hə-ˈbüb How to pronounce haboob (audio)
: a violent dust storm or sandstorm especially of Sudan

Examples of haboob in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What is a haboob? Raphael Romero Ruiz, The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2022 That wall of dust is referred to as a haboob. Jennifer Gray, CNN, 2 Dec. 2022 An epic dust storm, also called a haboob, is pounding West Texas' biggest cities this week. Michael Murney, Chron, 1 Mar. 2023 Even if a haboob strikes, the stadium’s roof can be closed. Ben Shpigel, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2023 Dust storms and dust-bearing winds go by many names, including the haboob in Sudan to the North African khamsin and the Arabian simoom. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 26 Feb. 2015 On the ground, a towering wall of dust known as a haboob rushed across a vast swath of the High Plains, enveloping towns and cities in a brown pall. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2014 Severe thunderstorms continued to impact Arizona on Thursday after a haboob passed over the state's capital. Julia Musto, Fox News, 15 July 2022 Today exceeded all expectations when this crazy haboob blasted out of some marginal severe thunderstorms. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 19 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'haboob.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Arabic habūb violent storm

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of haboob was in 1897

Dictionary Entries Near haboob

Cite this Entry

“Haboob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haboob. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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