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harmattan

American  
[hahr-muh-tan] / ˌhɑr məˈtæn /

noun

  1. (on the west coast of Africa) a dry, parching land breeze, charged with dust.

harmattan British  
/ hɑːˈmætən /

noun

  1. a dry dusty wind from the Sahara blowing towards the W African coast, esp from November to March

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of harmattan

1665–75; said to be < Twi haramata

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The first winds of west Africa's Harmattan dry season are in the air, and Lagos, the economic capital of the continent's most populous country, is abuzz.

From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025

The yearly phenomenon, known as the Harmattan season, runs from November through March.

From Reuters • Feb. 19, 2021

The finished coffins are smooth to the touch, painted in vibrant shades that shine despite the seasonal Harmattan dust coating every surface.

From Slate • Jan. 22, 2016

In Nigeria, climatologists have linked recent disruptions of the Harmattan to climate change.

From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2013

Mama and I sat on a wooden bench at the front of our home and watched the flames that were being spread by the strong Harmattan winds.

From "Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina" by Michaela DePrince

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.