dune

noun

ˈdün How to pronounce dune (audio)
 also  ˈdyün
: a hill or ridge of sand piled up by the wind
dunelike
ˈdün-ˌlīk How to pronounce dune (audio)
 also  ˈdyün-
adjective

Examples of dune in a Sentence

We wandered over the dunes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lithuania Dividing the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon, this 60-mile peninsula is a place of shifting dunes, sleepy fishing villages, and forest trails where wild boar sometimes wander. Becca Blond, AFAR Media, 1 Aug. 2025 Pictures show the wooden ribs of the ship poking out of the dunes, still miraculously well-preserved 230 years later. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025 An elevated boardwalk and trail located at Ludington State Park, Skyline Trail, along a half-mile wooded ridge walk with sweeping views of the open dunes at the south end of the park, according to the DNR. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 23 July 2025 Decades later, in 2019, Irishman Shane Lowry—buoyed by a dazzling third-round 63—won his first major in runaway fashion on these same dunes, igniting a raucous celebration across the island. Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dune

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English dūn down — more at down

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dune was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dune.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dune. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

dune

noun
: a hill or ridge of sand piled up by the wind

More from Merriam-Webster on dune

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