Beach or desert (6)
I believe the answer is:
strand
I believe this is a double definition.
'beach' is the first definition.
(I know that beach can be written as strand)
'desert' is the second definition.
(I know that strand is a type of desert)
'or' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for strand that I've seen before include "Leave aground on shore" , "Scottish gutter" , "Leave high and dry" , "Old magazine" , "Drive aground; thread" .)