wildlife

noun

wild·​life ˈwī(-ə)l(d)-ˌlīf 

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

Cruise down the river with views of the Teton Range—keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and your camera ready for some epic photo ops. — Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026

The Houck Day Use Area at Cunningham Falls State Park, the adjacent boat ramp, and Big Hunting Creek upstream of the lake have been closed while wildlife officials investigate a possible rabies outbreak among the local beaver population. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

The impacts are huge; Europe’s rivers are vital arteries transporting goods, cooling power plants, generating hydroelectric energy, drawing in tourists and providing a vital habitat for wildlife. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026

Some of the best moments happen over lunch with a local family, learning from the Maleku Indigenous community about their traditions and reforestation work, or simply sitting quietly in the rainforest listening to the wildlife. — Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wildlife

• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• afterlife
• pocketknife
• knife

Kids Definition

wildlife

noun

wild·​life ˈwī(ə)l-ˌ(d)līf 

: nonhuman living things and especially wild animals living in their natural environment