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

As the tilt lessens, the ice retreats again, carving and refilling terrain in rhythmic cycles that mirror Earth's own glacial epochs. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 14 Nov. 2025

Southern California is bracing for an atmospheric river that could bring flash floods to the region, triggering evacuation warnings in steep terrain and areas ravaged by wildfires earlier this year. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025

The mountain’s best terrain could be found in the snow bowls beneath the 12,500-foot Kachina Peak, and accessing them required a 45-minute hike, paid off by the ensuing splashdown through airy powder. —Michael Paterniti, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2025

Not particularly pretty, but rich terrain to at least attempt to reflect the absurdity of life. —Literary Hub, 14 Nov. 2025

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