semiarid

American  

[sem-ee-ar-id, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˈær ɪd, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

1. 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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semiarid British  

/ ˌsɛmɪˈærɪd /

adjective

1. characterized by scanty rainfall and scrubby vegetation, often occurring in continental interiors

   the semiarid regions of Australia

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semiarid Scientific  

/ sĕm′ē-ăr′ĭd /

1. Having low precipitation but able to support grassland and scrubby vegetation. Steppes have semiarid climates.

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Other Word Forms

• semiaridity noun

Etymology

Origin of semiarid

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

Example Sentences

He said the military needed to reassert how its longstanding strategy can foster stability throughout the Sahel, the semiarid region south of the Sahara Desert.

From Seattle Times

The city of 3 million sits in the semiarid plains of central India, where summer temperatures can reach nearly 49°C.

From Science Magazine

Not so in Africa, especially in the Sahel, the vast, semiarid region south of the Sahara where groups linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State are gaining ground at an alarming pace.

From New York Times

Its eastern region, semiarid and isolated, already has more than 400,000 refugees from Darfur living in 13 camps, which are now filling with new arrivals helped by the U.N. refugee agency.

From New York Times

The Russian effort spans the continent but has had the greatest impact in the Sahel, the semiarid region bordering the Sahara.

From New York Times