plural wildernesses
: a wild and natural area in which few people live
She enjoys hikes through the wilderness.
—often used before another nounThey liked to take wilderness excursions.
wilderness conservation
—often used figurativelya bureaucratic wilderness
Cite this Entry
“Wilderness.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/wilderness. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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