loose granular particles smaller than gravel and coarser than silt that result from the disintegration of rock, esp quartz, forming the main constituent of beaches and the beds of seas and rivers

(usu in pl) an area of sand, esp on the seashore

(in pl) the grainy material that passes through an hourglass, as representing an ever-diminishing allocation of time for something

The sands of this government run out very fast — Harold Laski

(often + down) to smooth or prepare (a surface, floor, etc) by grinding or rubbing with an abrasive, e.g. sandpaper

to sprinkle (something, e.g. an icy road surface) with or as if with sand

(often + up) to cover or choke (something) with sand