Definition of "desert" in English

noun

1. A barren area of land or desolate terrain, especially one with little water or vegetation; a wasteland.

2. (figuratively) Any barren place or situation.

adjective

1. Usually of a place: abandoned, deserted, or uninhabited.

   • They were marooned on a desert island in the Pacific.

verb

1. To leave (anything that depends on one's presence to survive, exist, or succeed), especially when contrary to a promise or obligation; to abandon; to forsake.

   • You can't just drive off and desert me here, in the middle of nowhere.

2. To leave one's duty or post, especially to leave a military or naval unit without permission.

   • Anyone found deserting will be punished.

noun

1. (often in the plural; now chiefly technical (in philosophy) or fossil) That which is deserved or merited; a just punishment or reward.

   • just deserts
   • July 4, 1789, Alexander Hamilton, Eulogium on Major-General Greene His reputation falls far below his desert.

noun

1. Obsolete form of dessert.