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
Kobbie Mainoo has been brought in from the Amorim-era wilderness and restored at the heart of their midfield.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 26 May 2026
America’s 250th anniversary celebrations this summer provide the perfect inspiration to explore the country’s vast and diverse landscapes—from the original 13 colonies to the rugged wilderness of the West.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
The rodents that tested positive were from both agricultural environments (farms) and natural settings (wilderness).
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
The series itself follows the famed adventurer as he's joined by celebrities for exciting journeys in the wilderness.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wilderness
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The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 26 May 2026
America’s 250th anniversary celebrations this summer provide the perfect inspiration to explore the country’s vast and diverse landscapes—from the original 13 colonies to the rugged wilderness of the West.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
The rodents that tested positive were from both agricultural environments (farms) and natural settings (wilderness).
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
The series itself follows the famed adventurer as he's joined by celebrities for exciting journeys in the wilderness.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 19 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 29 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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