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

Arid uplands and ephemeral wetlands host an exceptional array of life, from 13 species of frogs and more than 140 reptiles to 325 bird species like mulga parrots and nankeen kestrels. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Instructors will focus on coastal, estuarine, and uplands habitats; coastal plants; and marine invertebrates, birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025

The conservation easement secures the land’s upland forests, 26 acres of wetlands, and Naugatuck River headwaters. —Shelley Harms, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025

The lake came into existence ten thousand years ago when a long upland of ice withdrew. —Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing upland

• 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