terrain

1 a region of activity, knowledge, or influence <we're moving into unfamiliar terrain if we bring pre-Columbian art into our discussion> Synonyms area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, field, walkRelated Words frontier; study, subject; territory, turf; occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation; ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width; subfield, subspecialty

2 the physical features of a region as a whole <an analysis of the terrain revealed that an invasion force of paratroopers would have their work cut out for them> Synonyms chorography, geomorphology, landscape, geography, topographyRelated Words scenery; ground, land, landform, terrane, terrene

3 the circumstances, conditions, or objects by which one is surrounded <a new senator getting lost in the foggy terrain of double-dealing and deception> Synonyms ambient, atmosphere, climate, clime, context, contexture, environs, medium, milieu, mise-en-scène, setting, surround, surroundings, environmentRelated Words location, place, position, space; backdrop, background; element; situation, status; geography, habitat; microenvironment