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

For families Families are welcome and extra beds can be added, but bear in mind the elevation, rocky terrain and malaria risk. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026

Commercials showed off sleek and imposing vehicles with four-wheel drive going off-roading through rugged terrain, adding some aspiration to a Tuesday night baseball practice pick-up . — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Now the long process of noise, terrain and benefit studies begins. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 26 July 2026

With the pole still lodged in his body, Cifaldi and his friends began the more than 10-mile trek back down the mountain, navigating rugged terrain including snowfields and boulder fields. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 26 July 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