terrain

noun

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

Synonyms of terrain

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Examples of terrain in a Sentence

We had to drive over some rough terrain. We hiked through a variety of terrains.
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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.
Every time a gear turns, a pump lifts water, or a road survives difficult terrain, part of that ancient engineering legacy continues to work. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026 The students needed enough solar power to move Stella Juva through challenging terrain while also supporting the medical equipment inside. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Each of these gardens is largely accessible for strollers and people using wheelchairs, though steep or rocky terrain in some areas may limit access. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 This is an oil-field truck that's meant to conquer rocky terrain and not get stuck in deep mud. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing terrain

Rhymes for terrain

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Browse Nearby Words

terraform
terrain
terra incognita
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terrain. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of terrain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about terrain

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