upland

noun

up·​land ˈəp-lənd 

-ˌland

1

: high land especially at some distance from the sea : plateau

2

: ground elevated above the lowlands along rivers or between hills

upland adjective

uplander

ˈəp-lən-dər 

-ˌlan-

noun

Synonyms

• altitude(s)
• elevation
• eminence
• height
• highland
• hill
• hump
• mound
• prominence
• rise

Examples of upland in a Sentence

the animals huddled on the upland as the floodwater rose

Recent Examples on the Web

The best hiking boots for men (or the best hiking boots for women for that matter) share many characteristics with landscaping boots, as do some of the best upland hunting boots. —Bob Beacham, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023

These dark clouds and thunderclaps — even interspersed with the occasional roar of an Israeli fighter jet — would usually be a celebratory moment for this family of farmers, an essential lifesource for their olive groves in this otherwise desiccated uplands. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2023

The breakup of the Gondwana supercontinent also caused valleys to be formed between the upland blocks, before the uplands became glaciated, the researchers said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2023

And during the fall, these small, fragile birds make an incredible journey south, stopping along the way to briefly grace your favorite upland haunts. —Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 18 Oct. 2023

As an example, over centuries Native Hawaiians used a system of land division based on the flow of fresh water from the mountains to the ocean, and the sharing of resources from the uplands and the sea. —Suzanne Vares-Lum, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2023

Early people weathered the Last Ice Age in the significantly cooler uplands of central Spain, eschewing the warmer coastlines, according to a new archaeological survey. —Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2023

Hunters prize both breeds for their abilities as gun dogs, particularly for waterfowl, but each can double as a flusher in the uplands, too. —Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 21 Sep. 2023

Pawpaws in the wild The pawpaw tree loves rich, moist soils in lowland woods, but the trees can move to the uplands if the area is heavily browsed by deer. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Aug. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upland

• upland cotton
• upland sandpiper

• upland cotton
• upland sandpiper

Kids Definition

upland

noun

up·​land ˈəp-lənd 

-ˌland

: high land especially at some distance from the sea

upland adjective

Geographical Definition

Upland

geographical name

Up·​land ˈəp-lənd 

city in southern California west of San Bernardino population 73,732