semiarid

adjective

semi·​ar·​id ˌse-mē-ˈer-əd 

-ˈa-rəd,

ˌse-ˌmī-,

-mi-

: characterized by light rainfall

especially : having from about 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 centimeters) of annual precipitation

semiaridity

ˌse-mē-ə-ˈri-də-tē 

-er-ˈi-

-ˌa-ri-

ˌse-ˌmī-

-mi-

noun

Examples of semiarid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The semiarid region along the border with Mexico usually receives about 25 inches annually. —John Yoon, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

These storms are common in arid and semiarid regions. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

Brazil has built one million cisterns in its semiarid northeast to ensure adequate water supplies during extended dry seasons. —Alice Hill, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2025

The 1913 construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, a bold engineering feat that transported water more than 230 miles to the semiarid region, paved the way for more than 100,000 people to move into the city each year. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for semiarid

• arid
• farad

Kids Definition

semiarid

adjective

semi·​ar·​id ˌsem-ē-ˈar-əd 

ˌsem-ˌī-

: marked by light rainfall

especially : having from about 10 to 20 inches (25 to 51 centimeters) of annual precipitation