Word
dune
US/ˈdun/
UK/djˈuːn/
Countable noun Geography
Definition
n. a hill of sand that the wind has made. You usually find these in deserts or near the ocean.
n. a mound, ridge, or hill of loose sand heaped up by the wind. Commonly found in arid regions or along coastal shorelines.
Examples
“The children ran down the tall sand dune.”
“Strong winds constantly reshape the dune, making the desert landscape look different every morning.”
“Coastal vegetation plays a vital role in stabilizing the dune system, preventing the sand from encroaching upon inland infrastructure during severe storms.”
Examples
simple
“The children ran down the tall sand dune.”
contextual
“Strong winds constantly reshape the dune, making the desert landscape look different every morning.”
complex
“Coastal vegetation plays a vital role in stabilizing the dune system, preventing the sand from encroaching upon inland infrastructure during severe storms.”
Usage
Often used in the compound 'sand dune'.
Real-World Examples
“And that vast pile of sand is different too – you can see that it’s not a real dune, it’s a thin layer of sand held up on carpets and a rusted metal frame.” “Ramadan on the beach at Al-Nuwairi, near Nuseirat, where he lives in a tent among the dunes.” “A sand dune, which cost homeowners over $500,000 to build, has been swept away after only three days.” “Long Beach, N.Y., which decided not to build protective sand dunes along its beach, experienced at least $200 million in losses.” Etymology
Partly from a dialectal form of down; and partly from French dune (from Old French dune), or from Middle Dutch dūne (modern Dutch duin), or from Middle Low German dûne; all ultimately from Proto-West Germanic dūn, dūnā, probably from Proto-Celtic dūnom (“stronghold, rampart”), from Proto-Indo-European dʰuHnom (“enclosure”), from *dʰewh₂- (“to finish, come full circle”). Doublet of down (which see).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The word in film
Dune · 2021 · Sci-Fi
- Directed by:
- Denis Villeneuve
- Starring:
- Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, Timothée Chalamet
Denis Villeneuve directs this epic science fiction story about a dangerous desert planet covered in massive hills of sand. Timothée Chalamet stars as a young man who must travel across this dry landscape to protect his family's future.
Dune · 1984 · Action
- Directed by:
- David Lynch
- Starring:
- Sting, Patrick Stewart, Max von Sydow
David Lynch directed this 1980s science fiction epic set on a planet that is entirely covered by sand. The story follows a young man who must survive in this harsh environment where water is rare and giant hills of sand hide dangerous creatures.
In Literature
Cover: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — John Schoenherr.
Dune · 1965-01-01 · Adventure fiction, planetary romance
- Author:
- Frank Herbert
Frank Herbert's 1965 epic is set on the harsh desert planet of Arrakis, where water is scarce and massive hills of sand dominate the landscape. The story follows young Paul Atreides as his family takes control of this world, which is the only source of a valuable spice. The title highlights the central role of the arid environment and the shifting terrain that the characters must navigate to survive.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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