desert

8 definitions • 11 examples

an area, often covered with sand or rocks, where there is very little rain and not many plants:

in the desert They were lost in the desert for nine days.

We had to cross a large area of arid, featureless desert.

the desert sun

a place that is considered to have no cultural, intellectual, etc. quality or interest:

This town is a cultural desert.

to leave the armed forces without permission and with no intention of returning:

Soldiers who deserted and were caught were shot.

desert from How many people desert from the army each year?

to leave someone without help or in a difficult situation and not come back:

desert someone for someone He deserted his wife and family for another woman.

If a quality deserts you, you suddenly and temporarily lose it:

All my confidence/courage deserted me when I walked into the exam.

to leave someone or something without help or in a difficult situation:

Local people deserted the city as hordes of tourists arrived.

If you desert the armed forces, you leave without permission and with no intention of returning:

He denied that he had deserted his post.

a large, dry area where there is very little rain and few plants:

[ U ] When you live in the desert, water is your most vital resource.