terra
Americannoun
noun
-
A rough highland or mountainous region of the moon with a relatively high albedo.
-
Compare mare
-
A vast highland region on a planet.
Etymology
Origin of terra
Borrowed into English from Latin around 1605–15
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.
The kitchen floor suddenly terra incognita, Jack looked to me across the table for help.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026
The fact that scientists are finding intact biochar in the Amazon’s ancient terra preta suggests that it’s happening.
From Salon • Mar. 7, 2025
They came in a small range of colors: sand, terra cotta, chestnut.
From Slate • Oct. 20, 2024
That would only have been possible on terra firma, they say.
From Science Magazine • Apr. 30, 2024
God Almighty, I’m glad I’m right here on old terra firma.
From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury
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.
