harmattan

noun

har·​mat·​tan ˌhär-mə-ˈtan How to pronounce harmattan (audio)
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
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.
Some could not tolerate the cold harmattan winds that blow down from the Sahara. The Economist, 31 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

from or akin to Twi haramata

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of harmattan was in 1671

Dictionary Entries Near harmattan

Cite this Entry

“Harmattan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmattan. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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