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
• realm
• element
• field
• domain
• walk
• department
• sphere
• kingdom

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

Hand crews and aviation resources remain the primary suppression tools in steep, inaccessible terrain. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025

On the control side, the company reports combining reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and linear-actuator torque control so K2 can switch gaits dynamically across complex terrains and sustain a natural, human-like walk. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025

Part of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea, the island is defined by its rugged hills, arid terrain and wild, untamed coastline. —Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Scientists believe the geology of Mars may hold valuable clues about past ancient life, and so the robotic vehicles, controlled remotely from Earth, have slowly navigated the rocky terrain to scoop up and collect intriguing samples. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 11 Sep. 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