Wild West

noun

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

Wild West

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Wild West¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Some Israelis say the West Bank is like the Wild West: a place where statehood and sovereignty are decided not by laws and declarations but by facts on the ground.

From BBC

County then, the population was just over 11,000, California was a newly minted state, and the Mexican period was giving way to the Wild West.

From Los Angeles Times

Health Minister Karin Smyth said the industry had been plagued by "a Wild West" of "cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage".

From BBC

“While any new helping profession is a welcome addition to our well-being landscape, this totally unregulated Wild West risks doing serious harm.”

From Los Angeles Times

"The deep sea cannot become the Wild West," UN Secretary General António Guterres said at the opening of the UN Oceans Conference in Nice, France.

From BBC