terrain

noun ter·rain \ tə-ˈrān also te- \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of terrain

1 a (1) : a geographic area

(2) : a piece of land : ground

b : the physical features of a tract of land

2 : terrane 1

3 a : a field of knowledge or interest

b : environment, milieu

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Examples of terrain in a Sentence

We had to drive over some rough terrain.
We hiked through a variety of terrains.

Recent Examples of terrain from the Web

Tetreault said anyone needing ADA assistance is paired with a volunteer to help them around the tricky terrain.

— kellie hwang, azcentral, "FORM Arcosanti returns May 11-13 with Chance the Rapper, Skrillex, Charli XCX," 7 May 2018
The site sits on a partially rocky terrain overlooking the Bronx River and an old-growth forest.

— keiko morris, WSJ, "In the Botanical Garden, Construction Workers Tiptoe Quietly," 6 May 2018
Despite its imprint on the current fashion terrain, the Old Skool’s dominance hasn’t gone unchallenged.

— john vorwald, GQ, "How Vans Got Everyone Wearing Vans Again," 4 May 2018
Qasim Shesho, a top Yazidi commander in the area, said his forces sees groups of Persian speakers routinely moving through, using the mountainous terrain to cross into Syria.

— hollie mckay, Fox News, "Iran aims to be king of the hill on key strategic mountain in Iraq," 3 May 2018
What Durbin discovered is that Zuckerberg was delighted to argue on that terrain.

— gideon lewis-kraus, New York Times, "Facebook and the ‘Dead Body’ Problem," 24 Apr. 2018
Six straight hours of sitting in an all-terrain Jeep.

— dave hyde, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde: Erik Spoelstra has to be the Heat's star, night after night | Commentary," 17 Apr. 2018
For the first time in recent memory, gun reform advocates have a clear advantage on the raw emotional terrain of America’s gun debate.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "The Parkland Teens Are Winning the Culture War," 31 Mar. 2018
Hsiung also discovered that walking on uneven terrain, such as a hiking path, is much easier than walking in a mall.

— sandra g. boodman, chicagotribune.com, "Medical mystery: Suddenly, she couldn't walk straight," 21 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'terrain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of terrain

French, land, ground, from Old French terrein, from Vulgar Latin *terranum, alteration of Latin terrenum, from neuter of terrenus of earth — more at terrene

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1766

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year