- a region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and widely spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all: The Sahara is a vast sandy desert.
- any area in which few forms of life can exist because of lack of water, permanent frost, or absence of soil.
- an area of the ocean in which it is believed no marine life exists.
- (formerly) any unsettled area between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains thought to be unsuitable for human habitation.
- any place lacking in something: The town was a cultural desert.
- of, relating to, or like a desert:a desert landscape.
- occurring, living, or flourishing in the desert: a desert tribe; a desert palm.
- designed or suitable for wear in the desert, as cool, protective clothing: a big, wide-brimmed desert hat.
- to leave (a person, place, etc.) without intending to return, especially in violation of a duty, promise, or the like: He deserted his wife.
- (of military personnel) to leave or run away from (service, duty, etc.) with the intention of never returning: Terrified of the approaching battle, he deserted his post just before dawn.
- to fail (someone) at a time of need: None of his friends had deserted him.
- to forsake or leave one's duty, obligations, etc. (sometimes followed by from, to, etc.): Many deserted during the food shortage.
- (of military personnel) to leave service, duty, etc., with no intention of returning: Troops were deserting to the enemy.
- reward or punishment that is deserved: Death was his desert.
- the state or fact of deserving reward or punishment.
- the state or condition of being worthy, as in character or behavior.
- to be punished or rewarded in a manner appropriate to one's actions or behavior: Some people felt he had gotten his just deserts, having been imprisoned and relieved of his ill-gotten gains, but others would have preferred old-style public flogging, followed by drawing and quartering, and who can blame them?
- a region that is devoid or almost devoid of vegetation, esp because of low rainfall
- an uncultivated uninhabited region
- a place which lacks some desirable feature or quality
- of, relating to, or like a desert; infertile or desolate
- to leave or abandon (a person, place, etc) without intending to return, esp in violation of a duty, promise, or obligation
- to abscond from (a post or duty) with no intention of returning
- to fail (someone) in time of need
- to give up or postpone (a case or charge)
- something that is deserved or merited; just reward or punishment
- the state of deserving a reward or punishment
- virtue or merit
