sand

 
Pronunciation: /sand/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1a loose granular substance, typically pale yellowish brown, resulting from the erosion of siliceous and other rocks and forming a major constituent of beaches, river beds, the seabed, and deserts: this magical coast boasts mile upon mile of golden sand [count noun]: Britain’s soils are mixtures of sands, silts, and clays
  • (sands) an expanse of sand, typically along a shore: [in place names]: Goodwin Sands
  • [count noun] a stratum of sandstone or compacted sand.
  • technical sediment whose particles are larger than silt (typically greater than 0.06 mm).
  • 2a light yellow-brown colour like that of sand.
  • 3North American informal firmness of purpose: no one has the sand to stand against him

verb

[with object]
  • 1smooth or polish with sandpaper or a mechanical sander: mask off the area to be painted and sand it down (as noun sanding) some recommend a light sanding between the second and third coats
  • 2sprinkle or overlay with sand, to give better purchase on a surface.

Phrases

the sands (of time) are running out

the allotted time is nearly at an end.
[with reference to the sand of an hourglass]

Derivatives

sand-like

adjective

Origin:

Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zand and German Sand