desertification

noun

de·​sert·​i·​fi·​ca·​tion di-ˌzər-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce desertification (audio)
: the process of becoming desert (as from land mismanagement or climate change)
desertify transitive verb

Examples of desertification in a Sentence

The organization was awarded for its efforts to prevent further desertification in Africa.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The environmental impact is considerable too as less firewood use helps mitigate deforestation and preserves local ecosystems, as the loss of trees leads to increasing soil erosion and desertification. Daniela De Lorenzo, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 The Great Green Wall in Africa, for example, was launched in 2007 to help combat desertification. Laura Paddison, CNN, 8 Sep. 2024 Why? Because of deforestation, water mismanagement, bad land use, unsustainable farming, desertification and climate change. Kaveh Madani, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024 Increasing desertification and drought are pushing people toward cities, putting pressure on infrastructure and heightening tensions among communities. Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 22 Mar. 2022 See all Example Sentences for desertification 

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of desertification was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near desertification

Cite this Entry

“Desertification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desertification. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on desertification

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