terrain

noun

ter·​rain tə-ˈrān How to pronounce terrain (audio)
 also  te-
1
a(1)
: a geographic area
(2)
: a piece of land : ground
b
: the physical features of a tract of land
2
3
a
: a field of knowledge or interest

Examples of terrain in a Sentence

We had to drive over some rough terrain. We hiked through a variety of terrains.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hours later, however, Espe’s worst fears were realized when the Skymaster vanished into the icy terrain near the border of Alaska and the Yukon, Canada’s westernmost territory. Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2025 Compare that with the Woolsey Fire, which in 2018 roared through roughly the same terrain, incinerating 97,000 acres and destroying 1,600 structures. Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2025 The intent of the exercise is to illuminate the sport’s complicated, layered machinery and identify the people who shape the terrain. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025 Rapid upgrades in speed and agility mean robot dogs can now sprint at near-Olympic pace, and humanoids are running smoothly over tough terrain. New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for terrain 

Word History

Etymology

French, land, ground, from Old French terrein, from Vulgar Latin *terranum, alteration of Latin terrenum, from neuter of terrenus of earth — more at terrene

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of terrain was in 1766

Dictionary Entries Near terrain

Cite this Entry

“Terrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrain. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

terrain

noun
ter·​rain tə-ˈrān How to pronounce terrain (audio)
 also  te-
: the surface features of an area of land
rough terrain

More from Merriam-Webster on terrain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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