terrain

noun ter·rain \ tə-ˈrān also te- \

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

See terrain defined for English-language learners

See terrain defined for kids

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

In addition to the hard-to- reach homes, steep terrain and dry grasses, fire departments are often underfunded.

— irene wanner, The Seattle Times, "Author covers what’s kindling the increase of megafires," 27 Aug. 2017
Like them, Charlottesville — the home of the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 — has been navigating tricky terrain.

— sheryl gay stolberg, New York Times, "Hurt and Angry, Charlottesville Tries to Regroup From Violence," 13 Aug. 2017
There are eclipses every year, but most of them happen over water, over inhospitable climes and terrains and over other continents.

— sara clarkson, chicagotribune.com, "Clarkson: Nothing eclipses fascination with the heavens, especially now," 10 Aug. 2017
Participants should be prepared to walk over 1 mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven terrain.

— Daily Southtown, "Community news briefs," 12 July 2017
This is someone who presumably understood the terrain, the sketchiness, and the risks.

— t.a. frank, The Hive, "The Dark Truth of Donnygate," 10 July 2017
A man died in an all-terrain vehicle accident early Sunday in a forest preserve east of Buffalo Grove, according to fire officials.

— james steinbauer, chicagotribune.com, "Man dies in ATV crash on Buffalo Grove forest preserve trail," 9 July 2017
Creek crossing and uneven terrain (wear sturdy shoes).

— The Courier-Journal, "50+ fun things for week of June 29-July 5," 28 June 2017
Creek crossing and uneven terrain (wear sturdy shoes).

— The Courier-Journal, "50+ fun things for week of June 29-July 5," 28 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year