wilderness area

noun

often capitalized W&A
: an often large tract of public land maintained essentially in its natural state and protected against introduction of intrusive artifacts (such as roads and buildings)

Examples of wilderness area in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The boreal ecosystem—the wilderness areas of evergreens between the deciduous woodlands to the south and the tundra to the north—makes up almost a third of the planet’s forest land. Stephen Maher, Time, 2 July 2025 The annual economic impact of the wilderness area is estimated to be about $100 million, according to the Forest Service. Peter Passi, Twin Cities, 18 June 2025 In the South Colony Basin, the wilderness area below the Needle, thousands of hikers each year take in the alpine lakes and the jutting rockfaces above. Sarah Scoles, JSTOR Daily, 11 June 2025 The case has garnered national attention and sparked a search across rugged Washington wilderness areas, drawing extensive involvement from local, state and federal authorities. Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wilderness area

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wilderness area was in 1928

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Cite this Entry

“Wilderness area.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wilderness%20area. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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