Wild West

American

noun

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

Wild West British

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Wild West

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Wild West

After the Eaton fire, “it was the Wild West, trying to scramble to find answers,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

Murdoch even owned the Dodgers for a stretch to corner the market on what was then a Wild West shoot-out among TV programmers to launch cable channels.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

Some have described the private e-scooter situation in the UK as the "Wild West" with few following any rules.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

He was seen as a living embodiment of a sport that has become a Wild West of free-flowing cash, rampant opportunism and nonexistent loyalty.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

You belong here, I told myself firmly as I walked between the small tents at the Wild West Show.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023