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 gear system makes hilly terrain easier to handle. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025

Containing the fire has been more challenging for crews because of the marsh-like terrain where the flames rage. —Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025

Arc Games Treacherous terrain is a big part of the strategy, whether using it for power-ups or kiting enemies into bad spots. —Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025

The terrain is thick with gatekeepers, barriers and stumbling blocks that make getting any project off the ground a sysphean task. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 19 Mar. 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