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

Yavar says he saw the wasteland and people with horrific injuries.

From BBC

Critics called the purchase 'Seward's Folly', arguing the land amounted to a frozen wasteland.

From BBC

Also, the designation “forest” seems generous: The gnarled and stripped trees look broken, suggesting an open wasteland instead of a battleground that could provide cover.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1987, Margaret Thatcher walked with a handbag through a nearby derelict wasteland; a photograph of the "wilderness" visit became a symbol of industrial hardship.

From BBC

We can, however, observe that the South African “white genocide” narrative resembles the widespread perception that New York City has experienced an explosion of violent crime, and that the city’s subways are an anarchic wasteland.

From Salon

Related Words

• desert 
• swamp