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

—G. 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

b

: a bewildering situation

those moral wildernesses of civilized life

—Norman Mailer

Synonyms

• nature
• open
• open air
• out-of-doors
• outdoors
• wild

Examples of wilderness in a Sentence

She enjoys hikes through the wilderness.

released the wolf back into the wilderness

Recent Examples on the Web

Matanuska Glacier by trek or ice climbing From June through September, Matanuska Glacier north of Anchorage is one of the best spots for a more intense experience in the Alaskan wilderness. —Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

Nigel Farage started the Reform party as a voice in the wilderness speaking against the insanity of the uniparty in UK. —Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Jan. 2025

The border region's unforgiving terrain—including deserts, mountains, and remote wilderness can be treacherous in the winter, amplifying the danger posed to migrants. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025

At the center of this six-episode series is Isaac (Taylor Kitsch), a man haunted by his past who is forced to face the savage wilderness for survival. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from wildern wild, from Old English wilddēoren of wild beasts

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing wilderness

• wilderness area

Kids 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