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 of terrain

• 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

Its direct-drive setup eliminates the gearbox entirely while boosting torque to 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft) for handling severe terrain. — New Atlas, 13 Sep. 2026

Riders must survive 21 days of racing, around 3,500km (2,200 miles), in all manner of weather and across difficult terrain. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

In retirement, Maines traded South Florida’s hurricanes and flat terrain for the mountains of western North Carolina. — Sally Kestin, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Before fighting, a commander should systematically compare his circumstances with those of the enemy, assessing such factors as leadership, discipline, terrain, and military strength. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

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