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

The sector is a "Wild West", according to Dr Mark Kerr, chief executive of the Children's Homes Association.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

The prediction markets have spent a lot of energy of late angling to convince people that they are not the complete and total Wild West that they have often appeared to be.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

The trend underscores a Wild West internet landscape that is largely bereft of guardrails as false narratives erode digital trust.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

Some lawmakers and researchers, however, argue that lax regulation has fostered a nonprofit Wild West.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

To the right, in the smoky distance, the president saw the banners of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West flying over the arena Colonel Cody had built at Sixty-second Street.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson