[f. WASTE sb. + LAND sb.; cf. waste land under WASTE a.] Land in its natural, uncultivated state. Also attrib.
1800. Chester Chron., 28 March, 4/2. Bill for encouraging the cultivation of Potatoes in the commons or waste-lands.
1887. Morris, Odyss., XI. 293. The wasteland neatherds.
1916. Nature, 12 Oct., 105/1. The most accessible of the wastelands would be selected and the order of planting laid down.
1919. Contemp. Rev., Aug., 181. A flock of from thirty to forty meadow-pipits feeding on waste-land.
