Wild West

American  

noun

1. the western frontier region of the U.S., before the establishment of stable government.

---

Wild West British  

noun

1. the western US during its settlement, esp with reference to its frontier lawlessness

---

Etymology

Origin of Wild West

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Wild West

Some close to the industry say the DTC brands have given the market a bit of a Wild West feel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

After the Eaton fire, “it was the Wild West, trying to scramble to find answers,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

“I don’t expect it to be the Wild West of AI.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

"Everything else we consume is regulated, so why do we have a Wild West when it comes to AI?" she says.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

Colonel William Cody—Buffalo Bill—sought a concession for his Wild West show, newly returned from a hugely successful tour of Europe, but the fair’s Committee on Ways and Means turned him down on grounds of “incongruity.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---