landscapes

"Landscapes" is the plural form of "landscape," a word with a few closely related but distinct meanings. It can refer to the natural world around you, a type of painting or photograph, or even something more abstract like a situation or field of knowledge.

1nounnatural scenery

A landscape is everything you can see when you look across a wide area of land — the hills, fields, rivers, trees, and sky all together. Think of standing on a hill and looking out at the countryside. Everything in that view is the landscape.

everyday language, geography · Modern, widely used

The landscapes of New Zealand are famous for their dramatic mountains and green valleys.

After hours of driving, the flat desert landscape finally gave way to forests.

The volcano completely changed the landscape of the island.

2nounpainting or photograph of scenery

In art, a landscape is a picture — a painting, drawing, or photograph — whose main subject is natural scenery like mountains, fields, or rivers, rather than people or objects.

art, photography · Modern, widely used

The museum has a beautiful collection of 19th-century landscapes painted in oil.

She prefers shooting landscapes over portraits when she goes hiking.

Turner is one of the most celebrated landscape painters in British history.

3nounfigurativeoverall situation or field

You can use 'landscape' figuratively to describe the general state or overview of a complex situation, industry, or area of life — as if you are looking at it from above, like a real landscape. It helps you talk about the 'big picture.'

business, politics, everyday language · Modern, widely used · figurative

The political landscape in the country has changed dramatically since the election.

New technology has transformed the business landscape over the past decade.

The competitive landscapes of streaming services are constantly shifting.

4verbto design or improve outdoor spaces

When someone landscapes a garden, park, or yard, they plan and shape it to look attractive — planting trees, laying grass, adding paths, and so on. It is the work of making outdoor spaces beautiful and organized.

gardening, architecture · Modern, widely used

They hired a professional company to landscape their new garden.

The city landscaped the area around the new library with trees and flower beds.

He landscapes gardens for a living and has worked on some stunning properties.