sandstorm

American  

[sand-stawrm] / ˈsændˌstɔrm /

noun

Meteorology.

sandstorms plural

1. an occurrence of strong winds, especially in a desert, that pick up and carry sand, as from dunes, and typically move along in a series of leaps, effecting the process of saltation.

   Our plan to film on location in Dubai was thwarted by a week of unusually persistent sandstorms.

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sandstorm British  

/ ˈsændˌstɔːm /

noun

1. a strong wind that whips up clouds of sand, esp in a desert

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sandstorm Scientific  

/ sănd′stôrm′ /

1. A strong wind that carries clouds of sand and dust through the air. Most of the particles in a sandstorm are between 0.08 and 1 mm (0.0032 and 0.04 inches) in size. Sandstorms usually are limited to within 3 m (10 ft) of the ground, rarely getting more than 15 m (49 ft) high. They develop in desert areas where loose sand can be stirred up by wind. Most sandstorms occur during the day when the Earth's surface heats up and dissipate at night as it cools.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sandstorms
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sandstorm

First recorded in 1765–75; sand + storm

Example Sentences

Exhausted Afghans cross the border from Iran in a sandstorm, leaving behind a country in the grip of war to return to a homeland that is battered by conflict and humanitarian crisis.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

In 2013, the band played through a blinding sandstorm.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2024

Multiple meteorologists told the AP that this sandstorm did not and will not impact the U.S.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2023

A video posted online shows a sandstorm surrounding the Suez Canal, which led to authorities closing two ports.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2023

Another valuable first-week-of-internment lesson: Take a shower at night so you don’t feel like you’re sleeping in a sandstorm.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed