1. regions or areas of land that receive little rainfall and have low moisture, typically supporting sparse vegetation
Usage: usually plural; used in geography, ecology, and environmental science

Examples

• The drylands of the American Southwest are home to hardy desert plants.
• Climate change is expanding the world's drylands at an alarming rate.
• Farmers in drylands must use irrigation to grow crops successfully.
• Many drylands support unique ecosystems adapted to water scarcity.
• The Sahara is one of the largest drylands on Earth.
• Conservation efforts focus on preventing further degradation of fragile drylands.