Wild West

American  

noun

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

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Wild West British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of Wild West

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

And he certainly has the cop-stache to play the role of rogue Wild West lawman.

From Los Angeles Times

One holds up a cardboard sign that says “Not Your Wild West Show!”

From Literature

"It's a bit like the Wild West, people can do as they want," she said.

From BBC

This was also the heyday of traveling extravaganzas like Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West shows, which featured hundreds of performers re-enacting frontier battles and showing off their hunting and sharpshooting skills.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We will protect them from the digital Wild West," Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Tuesday.

From BBC