dune

[/duːn/]
nounfemininepl: dunes
duna
1. a hill or ridge of sand formed by the wind, typically found in deserts or along coastlines
The children played on the sand dunes by the beach.
As crianças brincavam nas dunas de areia na praia.
2. a sandy elevation in a desert landscape
The Sahara is famous for its massive sand dunes.
O Saara é famoso por suas enormes dunas de areia.
In Brazil, dunes are particularly significant in the northeastern region, especially in Maranhão with the famous Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its extensive sand dune formations. The term 'duna' is also used in Portuguese to describe similar geographical features found along the Portuguese coast. Sand dunes represent important ecosystems and are popular tourist destinations in both countries.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
sand hillsand ridgesandbank
Antonyms / Antônimos
valleydepressionhollow

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
duna
standard term used throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
duna
common in discussions of Lençóis Maranhenses and coastal areas
São Paulo
duna
used in context of beach and coastal geography
Portugal
duna
standard Portuguese usage, commonly seen along the Algarve coastline

Related Words

sanddesertbeachwind erosiondune grass

Related Idioms & Phrases

dune buggy - veículo todo-terreno
to shift like sand dunes - mudar constantemente (contexto figurado)
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