wilderness
noun
wil·der·ness
ˈwil-dər-nəs 
1
a(1)
: a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings
(2)
: an area essentially undisturbed by human activity together with its naturally developed life community
b
: an empty or pathless area or region
… in remote wildernesses of space groups of nebulae are found …—
George W. Gray †1960
George W. Gray †1960
c
: a part of a garden devoted to wild growth
2
obsolete
: wild or uncultivated state
3
a
: a confusing multitude or mass : an indefinitely great number or quantity
… I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.—William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
b
: a bewildering situation
… those moral wildernesses of civilized life …—Norman Mailer
Norman MailerExamples of wilderness in a Sentence
She enjoys hikes through the wilderness.
released the wolf back into the wilderness
Recent Examples on the Web
Since the bear cubs are growing fast and require more resources to be fully rehabilitated and returned to the wilderness, the San Diego Humane Society is appealing for public support to help fund their care.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Heart of the Beast centers on a former Army Special Forces soldier (Pitt), who is stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness with a dog after a plane crash.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Written by Cameron Alexander, Heart of the Beast follows a former Army Special Forces Soldier and his retired combat dog who battle for survival after a plane crash deep in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 May 2026
After three years in the Eurovision wilderness, Romania makes a loud-and-proud comeback with a propulsive blend of nu-metal guitars, angsty melodies, and operatic trills worthy of a hand-horn salute.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wilderness
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Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Heart of the Beast centers on a former Army Special Forces soldier (Pitt), who is stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness with a dog after a plane crash.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Written by Cameron Alexander, Heart of the Beast follows a former Army Special Forces Soldier and his retired combat dog who battle for survival after a plane crash deep in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 13 May 2026
After three years in the Eurovision wilderness, Romania makes a loud-and-proud comeback with a propulsive blend of nu-metal guitars, angsty melodies, and operatic trills worthy of a hand-horn salute.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wilderness
Cite this Entry
“Wilderness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wilderness. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wilderness
noun
wil·der·ness
ˈwil-dər-nəs
: an area in which few people live that is not used for farming and is more or less in its natural state
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