1 dust devil | Definition of dust devil

dust devil

noun

Definition of dust devil

: a small whirlwind containing sand or dust

Examples of dust devil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the smoking ceremony began, recalls Jason Kelly, a willy willy (dust devil) swept from the desert and across the casket. David Maurice Smith, Smithsonian, "A 42,000-Year-Old Man Finally Goes Home," 23 Aug. 2019 In Weather in Texas: The Essential Handbook, George W. Bomar explained that dust devils develop on the surface, unlike tornadoes. Jesus Jimenez, Dallas News, "Watch: Dust devil moves through new Amazon fulfillment center in Fort Worth," 1 Aug. 2019 As a dust devil whirled, Michelle Binion, 56, marveled at the rupture caused by the first quake. Giulia Mcdonnell Nieto Del Rio, latimes.com, "Seismic selfies: Massive earthquake surface rupture becomes tourist attraction," 9 July 2019 Weaver guessed that the dust devil lasted about two minutes, which is typical. Allie Caren, Washington Post, "‘Tornado timeout’ delays baseball game when dust devil sweeps across field," 29 May 2018 If this is indeed the case, Opportunity’s recovery might depend more on a lucky brush with a dust devil than NASA is letting on, this person says. Sean O'kane, The Verge, "NASA says it wants to save the Mars Opportunity rover, but some close to the mission doubt it," 31 Aug. 2018 Mars has seasonal weather patterns called dust devils that could clear that dust away, but those won't begin until November — by which point, the 45 days of active outreach will have ended. Meghan Bartels, Space.com, "NASA Starts 45-Day Clock to Contact Mars Rover Opportunity as Dust Storm Wanes," 12 Sep. 2018 So dust devil season could be well after the 45-day active communication period ends. Sean O'kane, The Verge, "NASA says it wants to save the Mars Opportunity rover, but some close to the mission doubt it," 31 Aug. 2018 But before leaving the lowlands behind, on sol 1,597, the rover captured stop-motion video of dust devils streaking across the plains of Gale Crater. Avi Selk, Washington Post, "Curiosity’s five-year journey across Mars — in one stunning photo," 3 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dust devil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of dust devil

1888, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for dust devil

dust devil

noun

English Language Learners Definition of dust devil

chiefly US : a small area of rapidly spinning wind that contains sand or dust

More from Merriam-Webster on dust devil

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with dust devil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dust devil