terrain
Americannoun
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a tract of land, especially as considered with reference to its natural features, military advantages, etc.
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Geology. terrane.
noun
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ground or a piece of ground, esp with reference to its physical character or military potential
radio reception can be difficult in mountainous terrain
a rocky terrain
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a variant spelling of terrane
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of terrain
1720–30; < French ≪ Vulgar Latin *terrānum, noun use of neuter of *terrānus of land. See terra, -an
Explanation
An ATV, or all-terrain vehicle, is useful for people who drive on lots of different terrain, hence the name. Terrain is a noun used to talk about the ground, when you're specifically interested in how it appears or is shaped. In times of war, you'll often hear the term "hostile terrain" used to describe a region with lots of mountains, vast stretches of desert, or impenetrable jungles. These are all areas of difficult terrain that are hard to pass. Much of humankind's history can be traced by its effort to alter the terrain. We've made mountains into meadows, rivers into lakes, and prairies into roads, all to make the terrain more livable for us. You could even go so far as to say that a person's psyche is mysterious terrain.
Vocabulary lists containing terrain
List 8
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Physical Geography - Introductory
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Elements of the Universe: Terr, Terra ("Earth")
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even when it traverses difficult terrain, though, the story emerges on the other side with another layer to add to its ongoing consideration of what it means to live free in America.
From Salon • Jul. 1, 2026
But despite this difficult terrain, it has been a boom time for American playwriting.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026
Yet even for a place that’s constantly reinventing itself, raves were mostly uncharted terrain.
From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026
Supporters of the reform say it would create nimble police forces that are more easily held accountable and staffed by locals who know the terrain.
From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026
My dad has rented a car, and we drive across the dry terrain of red earth and hardy olive trees.
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
