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

Compared to nearby resorts like Alta and Deer Valley, Sundance can’t compete on snowfall or skiable terrain as a simple fact of geography and altitude, but its diverse offerings and unique atmosphere is what sets it apart. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026

The area where the plane disappeared, near Colombia’s border with Venezuela, is known for its mountainous terrain and poor visibility. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026

This winter, Deer Valley is debuting 2,000 acres of new terrain, with almost 100 new runs. —Graham Averill, Outside, 29 Jan. 2026

No Man’s Sky uses the Superformula and L-systems to create 18 quintillion planets with unique terrain, flora and fauna. —Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 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