noun
Uncommon
wasteland
WAYS-land
Wasteland (noun) means an area of land that is barren, ruined, or has no useful resources. Example: “The old mining town became a wasteland after the pits closed.”
noun
1
An area of land that is barren, ruined, or has no useful resources.
"The old mining town became a wasteland after the pits closed."
2
Any place, situation, or period seen as bleak, empty, or lacking value.
"Critics called the schedule a cultural wasteland."
How to use wasteland
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA barren, ruined, or empty place — literal or figurative.
Common pairings
a barren wasteland
post-industrial wasteland
cultural wasteland
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Word forms
- Plural
- wastelands
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old mining town became a _____ after the pits closed.
Etymology
From Old English weste land ("wasteland"), a combination of waste and land.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for wasteland
See all rhymes for wasteland →Frequently asked questions
What does “wasteland” mean?
The word “wasteland” means an area of land that is barren, ruined, or has no useful resources. In plain terms, a barren, ruined, or empty place — literal or figurative.
How do you pronounce “wasteland”?
“Wasteland” is pronounced WAYS-land (/ˈweɪs(t)ˌlænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “wasteland” in a sentence?
Here is “wasteland” used in a sentence: “The old mining town became a wasteland after the pits closed.”
What part of speech is “wasteland”?
“Wasteland” is a noun.
Where does the word “wasteland” come from?
The word “wasteland” comes from Old English. From Old English weste land ("wasteland"), a combination of waste and land.
Is “wasteland” a common word?
“Wasteland” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wasteland” have?
“Wasteland” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an area of land that is barren, ruined, or has no useful resources.
