# sandstorm

/ˈsændˌstɔɹm/ (US) · /sˈændstɔːm/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sandstorm
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a strong wind that carries a lot of sand and dust through the air. It often makes it hard to see and can damage things in its path.

For teachers: a meteorological event characterized by strong winds that lift large amounts of sand and dust into the atmosphere. Common in arid and semi-arid regions where loose soil is easily displaced.

## Examples

- The sandstorm made the desert road look like a gray wall.
- Travelers in the Sahara often seek shelter in a cave to wait out a sandstorm that can last for several hours.
- While a sandstorm can provide a natural source of mineral-rich dust for distant ecosystems, it also poses significant risks to infrastructure and human health through abrasion and respiratory irritation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.