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terrain

terrain

155 3.8
A piece of land with features like hills, rocks, or flat ground
  • noun
  • /tɛˈreɪn/
: terreno
  • The hikers struggled to navigate the rocky terrain during their expedition.
  • rough terrain
  • uneven terrain
  • rugged terrain

It's a nice reminder that it's their terrain, their home, not ours.

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Examples

  • The tensions in Guanajuato were largely centered in the broken terrain of the northern portion of the state.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The formerly mounded and pitted terrain had been rendered into a level field.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Well, if we know the digital terrain model, then we know this distance.

  • It's very, you know, the terrain is just incredible.

  • The terrain is on their side.

  • But so West Virginia, what kind of terrain would you be looking for?

  • The same rough terrain that has kept visitors out makes it dangerous just to get there.

    Academic text (2008)
  • It's a nice reminder that it's their terrain, their home, not ours.

  • But on Earth, much of the natural terrain had been destroyed by man's advance.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • This is a hilly terrain which varies in both directions.

Synonyms

ground
vsterrain
∞ 1.0

The solid surface of the earth that people walk on and plants grow in

considers broader physical features and suitability instead of just surface material
land
vsterrain
∞ 1.0

An area of ground used for farming, building, or as a country

highlights local physical features and suitability rather than general territory
landscape
vsterrain
248 3.0

A view of land and nature seen at once, often beautiful

focuses on physical features and practical suitability rather than appearance
piece of land
vsterrain
26 1.8

A small area of land that someone owns or uses

stresses the land's surface features and fit for a purpose
land mass
vsterrain
13 2.8

A large area of land that is not separated by water

emphasizes terrain's physical character and usability, not sheer size
plot of land
vsterrain
12 3.0

A small piece of ground for growing plants or building on

considers the land's physical features and suitability more than size
land area
vsterrain
8 2.7

A piece of land used for a specific purpose like building or farming

highlights the area's physical features and suitability instead of usage label
tract of land
vsterrain
7 4.1

A large area of land used for a certain purpose

focuses on land's physical features and suitability for uses
geographic area
vsterrain
6 2.3

A part of the Earth's surface with clear borders or features

centers on land's physical form and suitability rather than administrative borders
parcel of land
vsterrain
6 2.9

A piece of land sold or owned as one unit

emphasizes natural features and suitability rather than legal ownership
landmass
vsterrain
6 3.4

A large connected area of land that is part of the Earth

focuses on local physical features and suitability rather than continental scale
piece of ground
vsterrain
3 2.8

An area of land used for something, like a garden or park

points to physical shape and suitability rather than just use
plot of ground
vsterrain
  • UK
1 2.3

A small piece of land used for growing plants

focuses instead on landform and suitability beyond cultivation

Compounds

Land with many high hills and steep slopes

A bicycle with a strong frame and wide tires for riding on rough ground

8.6

A very low pass by a helicopter near the ground to avoid being seen

Information about land, plants, roads, and buildings that helps plan military actions

How Rugged

rugged
33 3.7
terrain
155 3.8
lowland
6 2.6
plain
176 1.0

Surface Forms

terrain singular
terrains plural

Etymology

Terrain comes from the Latin root terra, which means 'earth' or 'ground', and you can see the same root in territory. So, terrain is simply the kind of ground in an area — its shape and how easy it is to use.