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

“My biggest fear is that it further degrades mainstream confidence in medicine, and actually leads to a kind of Wild West for patients,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Red Dead Redemption puts you in the saddle for a Wild West cowboy fantasy, while Crusader Kings simulates all the drama of European royalty.

From BBC

Yet something close to that is happening as policymakers allow banks to participate in the digital Wild West of cryptocurrencies.

From The Wall Street Journal

After a lifelong obsession with cowboy movies and Wild West culture, he spent 20 years looking for a property where he might help others tap in to that same wonder.

From The Wall Street Journal

Everyone’s got a device in their hand pretty much all the time, aiming their cameras at each other like pistols in a Wild West standoff.

From Los Angeles Times