yardang

[ yahr-dahng ]

noun

, Geology.

1. a keel-shaped crest or ridge of rock, formed by the action of the wind, usually parallel to the prevailing wind direction.

Word History and Origins

Origin of yardang¹

First recorded in 1900–05; earlier jardang, from Turkic yardang “steep cliff,” a term introduced by Swedish geographer Sven Hedin ( def ) (1865–1952)

Example Sentences

The famous sphinx at Giza in Egypt may be a modified yardang.

From Project Gutenberg