harmattan
noun
har·mat·tan
ˌhär-mə-ˈtan 
här-ˈma-tᵊn
often capitalized
: a dust-laden wind on the Atlantic coast of Africa in some seasons
Examples of harmattan in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some could not tolerate the cold harmattan winds that blow down from the Sahara.
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The Economist, 31 Aug. 2017
The Economist, 31 Aug. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'harmattan.' 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
from or akin to Twi haramata
First Known Use
1671, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near harmattan
Cite this Entry
“Harmattan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmattan. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on harmattan
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about harmattan
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