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

• 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

There, Pat, Willa, and an assassin follow one another across terrain that bucks and dips like a cartoon water hose. —Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025

The city unveiled four utility terrain vehicles and four patrol bikes that were rolled out along transit lines this week. —Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025

As fiction and technology intersect, the project opens new terrain for narrative experimentation and audience engagement. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025

The heavy rains will likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep terrain, especially in and around these areas. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 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