dust devil

[ duhst dev-uhl ]

noun

, Meteorology.

1. a well-developed dust whirl with a diameter of about 10–100 feet (3–30 meters), rotating either clockwise or counterclockwise, common in dry regions on hot, calm afternoons and made visible by the dust, debris, and sand it picks up from the ground: dust devils on average are about 660 feet (200 meters) tall, but some have exceeded a height of 3,280 feet (1 kilometer):

   We noticed the base of the dust devil following a direct path along the ground, but its uppermost portion was meandering wildly.

dust devil

noun

1. a strong miniature whirlwind that whips up dust, litter, leaves, etc into the air

Word History and Origins

Origin of dust devil¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Perseverance has seen a number of dust devils and windstorms sweep through Jezero crater as a beautiful reminder of how environments are always changing, even on a dried-up planet like Mars.

From Science News

Far across the mesa a dust devil spun up and writhed away toward the distant hills.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he wheeled like a sudden dust-devil and decamped in a cloud of dust, followed at full pelt by his clattering escort.

From Project Gutenberg

Perchance, for no mere erratic “dust-devil” is yonder cloud.

From Project Gutenberg

Your enemy comes upon you like a dust-devil—he appears, strikes, wins or loses, and then disappears again as suddenly as he came.

From Project Gutenberg

That's a 'dust devil,' and there's a half dozen more whirling in our direction.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sandstorm