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semiarid

[ sem-ee-ar-id, sem-ahy- ]
/ ˌsɛm iˈær ɪd, ˌsɛm aɪ- /
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adjective (of a region, land, etc.)
characterized by very little annual rainfall, usually from 10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 centimeters): the struggle to raise vegetables in semiarid regions.
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Origin of semiarid

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; semi- + arid

OTHER WORDS FROM semiarid

sem·i·a·rid·ity [sem-ee-uh-rid-i-tee, sem-ahy-], /ˌsɛm i əˈrɪd ɪ ti, ˌsɛm aɪ-/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use semiarid in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for semiarid

semiarid
/ (ˌsɛmɪˈærɪd) /

adjective
characterized by scanty rainfall and scrubby vegetation, often occurring in continental interiorsthe semiarid regions of Australia

Derived forms of semiarid

semiaridity, noun
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

Scientific definitions for semiarid

semiarid
[ sĕm′ē-ărĭd ]

Having low precipitation but able to support grassland and scrubby vegetation. Steppes have semiarid climates.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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