wildlife

noun

wild·​life ˈwī(-ə)l(d)-ˌlīf How to pronounce wildlife (audio)
often attributive
: living things and especially mammals, birds, and fishes that are neither human nor domesticated

Examples of wildlife in a Sentence

an area with abundant wildlife
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.
Cameron Gilbert of Browns Valley and Michael Hubbard of Olivehurst used spotlighting and dogs to illegally hunt wildlife, according to the Sierra County District Attorney’s Office. Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026 Think heli-safaris over volcanic terrain, luxury trains crossing high-altitude plains, wildlife encounters that prioritize access and ethics, and multi-day hikes paired with top-tier lodges and exceptional food. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2025 Alaska is a bucket-list destination for many travelers because of its glaciers, wildlife and seaside communities – and is especially popular to visit by cruise ship. Josh Rivera, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025 Idaho Power is also investing in wildlife resilience efforts, the release said. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wildlife

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wildlife was in 1879

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wildlife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildlife. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

wildlife

noun
wild·​life ˈwī(ə)l-ˌ(d)līf How to pronounce wildlife (audio)
: nonhuman living things and especially wild animals living in their natural environment

More from Merriam-Webster on wildlife

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!