wasteland

[weyst-land]

noun

1. land that is uncultivated or barren.

2. an area that is devastated, as by flood, storm, or war.

3. something, as a period of history, phase of existence, or locality, that is spiritually or intellectually barren.

wasteland

/ ˈweɪstˌlænd /

noun

1. a barren or desolate area of land, not or no longer used for cultivation or building

2. a region, period in history, etc, that is considered spiritually, intellectually, or aesthetically barren or desolate

   American television is a cultural wasteland

Word History and Origins

Origin of wasteland¹

First recorded in 1630–40; waste + -land

Example Sentences

“Come wintertime, it starts to look like a post-apocalyptic wasteland—but in a cool way,” she said.

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But many of his ideological precursors hailed government threats and cheered for Big Brother to assert janitorial duties in the “wasteland.”

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Another resident, from the northern town of Beit Lahia, told us his area was now a "wasteland", after Israel's army razed it to the ground.

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He appeared to mock the president when he said London was not "the wasteland of anarchy" it was sometimes portrayed.

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During his speech the prime minister attacked "lies" that are being told about Britain and mocked figures who sought to portray London as "the wasteland of anarchy".

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Related Words

• desert 
• swamp