Wild West

noun

1. the western frontier region of the U.S., before the establishment of stable government.

Wild West

noun

1. the western US during its settlement, esp with reference to its frontier lawlessness

Word History and Origins

Origin of Wild West¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

His phoenixlike return was emblematic of the “Wild West” nature of the staffing world, said Pollie Pent, a former detective with the California Department of Insurance’s fraud division who now works in the insurance industry.

From New York Times

“It seemed like the Wild West, and not in a good way,” he recalls.

From Los Angeles Times

How did I end up here, in what often feels like the Wild West, traveling on this rustic dirt trail — and in a hiking vest?!

From Los Angeles Times

Plus, AI is highly controversial in the entertainment industry, where there’s widespread mistrust of the technology companies given their more “Wild West” attitude about intellectual property.

From Los Angeles Times

“The baby food market is like the Wild West,” Castle said.

From Los Angeles Times