wold

noun

ˈwōld

1

: a usually upland area of open country

2

Wold : a hilly or rolling region

—used in names of various English geographic areas

Yorkshire Wolds

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wald, wold, from Old English weald, wald forest; akin to Old High German wald forest, Old Norse vǫllr field

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of wold was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

Wolcott

wold

wold mouse

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wold. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

wold

noun

ˈwōld

: a high plain or hilly area usually without woods

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vertiginous

Listen to the pronunciation of vertiginous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?