badland

noun

bad·​land ˈbad-ˌland 

: a region marked by intricate erosional sculpturing, scanty vegetation, and fantastically formed hills

—usually used in plural

Examples of badland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The biggest find on Tracks II is Inyo, a portrait of the California badlands, set in border towns, desert roads, and aqueducts, with the heavy influence of mariachi bands. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025

The view was shocking: miles and miles of rock—mudstone badlands—filling the horizon. —Jane Siegel, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2025

Trek through the heart of the namesake toadstools and other unique badlands formations by setting out on the one-mile Toadstool Loop. —Brian Higgins, Outside Online, 20 May 2025

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota The buttes, bluffs, and pinnacles of the North Dakota badlands make for desirable backpacking come summer. —Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for badland

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

badland

noun

bad·​land ˈbad-ˌland 

: a region where natural forces have worn away the soft rocks into sharp and complicated shapes and where plant life is scarce

—usually used in plural