Wind erosion occurs both when either the wind alone or wind carrying moving sand grains erodes surfaces or objects.

Deflation is the net removal of material by the wind. (The word comes from the Latin deflare: 'to blow away'). Surfaces with loose particles are susceptible to deflation when they are exposed to strong winds.

Abrasion is the wearing away of materials by impacts from grains in motion. Saltating sand grains can impart considerable energy when they collide with surfaces. Driftwood and other objects exposed to aeolian abrasion take on an appropriately-named 'sand-blasted' look.