scabland

noun scab·land \ ˈskab-ˌland \

Definition of scabland

: a region characterized by elevated tracts of rocky land with little or no soil cover and traversed or isolated by postglacial dry stream channels —usually used in plural

Recent Examples of scabland from the Web

But geologists were not so dismissive; to them, the scablands were an enigma.

— michael melford, National Geographic, "Formed by Megafloods, This Place Fooled Scientists for Decades," 9 Mar. 2017
Standing in the middle of a broad swath of scablands extending from horizon to horizon, my mind’s eye could clearly see the floodwaters blasting through, like a raging inland sea, ripping up everything not strong enough to stay moored.

— michael melford, National Geographic, "Formed by Megafloods, This Place Fooled Scientists for Decades," 9 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scabland.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.