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semiarid

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

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; semi- + arid
Related formssem·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. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for semi arid

semiarid

adjective
  1. characterized by scanty rainfall and scrubby vegetation, often occurring in continental interiorsthe semiarid regions of Australia
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Derived Formssemiaridity, 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
semi arid in Science

semiarid

[sĕm′ē-ăr′ĭd]
  1. Having low precipitation but able to support grassland and scrubby vegetation. Steppes have semiarid climates.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.