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

See Examples For:

sandstorm sandstorms

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

"And the next moment, a sandstorm can happen. And generals will have to improvise and adapt to the new situations that are happening on the battlefield."

From BBC ● Dec. 1, 2023

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

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 21, 2023

Suddenly, there was a noise like fifty chainsaws over our heads, and we ducked as a plane roared by, the wind whipping our hair and blowing up a sandstorm.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

In 2023, Iraqi authorities teamed up with the UN-Habitat and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in areas that have been identified as major sources of sandstorms.

From Barron's ● Dec. 28, 2025

The phenomenon isn’t new — sandstorms from North Africa have shrouded Britain, Greece and Spain in the past — but the event led to remarkable scenes around the Acropolis and in other parts of Athens.

From New York Times ● Apr. 24, 2024

Ramping up his mileage to make up for lost time, Mr Cook made the decision to run through the night due to the intense daytime heat and sandstorms.

From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2024

“Are we going to be going through sandstorms for a while?”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2023

“Opinions are like sandstorms, Seaman Bosch,” he says.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman