1. plural of desert; large dry areas of land with little or no vegetation
2. what someone deserves, especially punishment or reward
Usage: often in phrase ‘just deserts’

Examples

• The Sahara and Gobi are among the world’s largest deserts.
• Many animals have adapted to survive in hot deserts.
• The criminal got his just deserts when he was sentenced to prison.
• She received her deserts for all the hard work she had done.
• Cacti are common plants found in American deserts.
• He felt he had received his deserts after being promoted.
• The expedition crossed three deserts during their journey.