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

The toddler had wandered away from his home in Seligman, Arizona, about 180 miles southeast of Las Vegas, and into rough terrain. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025

From structuring your company and opening a bank account, to navigating the visa process and tax planning—having someone who knows the terrain can make an enormous difference. —Henri Al Helaly, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Since reaching the crater's western rim in December of last year, the rover has focused its attention on the layered terrain of a tall slope called Witch Hazel Hill, which could hold clues to a period when Mars had a vastly different climate. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 16 Apr. 2025

After hours in flight, passengers recognized Venezuelan terrain below and started to cheer, Finol Marquez said. —Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for terrain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

terrain

noun

ter·​rain tə-ˈrān 

 also  te-

: the surface features of an area of land

rough terrain