səˈhā(ə)l, -ˈhē(ə)l; ˈsähə̇l noun
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: French, from Arabic sāḥil coast, shore
: a savanna or steppe region bordering a desert and especially the Sahara desert
• sa·hel·ian -ˈhālēən, -ˈhēl- adjective , usually capitalized