1. plural of chott; shallow salt lakes or marshes found in North Africa, especially in Algeria and Tunisia, that are dry or nearly dry during summer.
Usage: geography; often used in plural form; also spelled 'shotts' or 'chotts'

Examples

• The chotts of the Sahara are characterized by their high salt content and seasonal water levels.
• During the dry season, the chotts become vast expanses of salt-encrusted ground.
• Travelers crossing North Africa must navigate around the chotts, which can be impassable during certain times of year.
• The largest chotts in Algeria cover hundreds of square kilometers.
• Local communities have adapted to living near the chotts for centuries.