terrain

noun

ter·​rain tə-ˈrān 

 also  te-

1

a(1)

: a geographic area

(2)

: a piece of land : ground

b

: the physical features of a tract of land

2

: terrane sense 1

3

a

: a field of knowledge or interest

b

: environment, milieu

Synonyms

• area
• arena
• bailiwick
• barony
• business
• circle
• demesne
• department
• discipline
• domain
• element
• fief
• fiefdom
• field
• firmament
• front
• game
• kingdom
• line
• precinct
• province
• realm
• specialty
• sphere
• walk

Examples of terrain in a Sentence

We had to drive over some rough terrain.

We hiked through a variety of terrains.

Recent Examples on the Web

Explaining electoral college math feels easy peasy (thank you, genius New York Times graphics) compared to the treacherous emotional terrain many of us will cross this week. —Chloe Schama, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024

Areas of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, and the southern and western portions of Cuba, could see rainfall totals between 3 to 6 inches with isolated totals up to 10 inches in areas of higher terrain. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

And yes—while the Northeast peaks are massively different from those of the American West, there’s no discounting the state’s easy access to all kinds of ski terrain. —Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2024

It is believed to be composed mostly of water ice mixed with rock, like most of Uranus' moons, and has a patchwork surface of different types of terrain, including huge canyons, ridges and cliff faces. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, land, ground, from Old French terrein, from Vulgar Latin *terranum, alteration of Latin terrenum, from neuter of terrenus of earth — more at terrene

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing terrain

• all-terrain vehicle

Kids Definition

terrain

noun

ter·​rain tə-ˈrān 

 also  te-

: the surface features of an area of land

rough terrain