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 Those interested in exploring on foot will find over 350 miles of trails, many of which lead to untouched wilderness areas. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024 Some notes about hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Don’t pick the flowers, stay on the trails and don’t bring your dog on the trails or to wilderness areas. Raul Roa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 But even Church, born in Boise and considered a champion of protecting wilderness areas, could not push through legislation to make the Sawtooths a national park. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 The rattlesnake was then taken to a wilderness area and released. Mark Price, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024 This is typically done on National Forest Service land or Bureau of Land Management land, where there are fewer regulations compared to wilderness areas or national park land. Laura Lancaster, Outdoor Life, 19 Oct. 2023 Hunt Tip: Colorado has multiple wilderness areas that restrict travel to foot and horseback, eliminating ATV and side-by-side compeition. Jace Bauserman, Field & Stream, 29 Feb. 2024 In mid-June of that year, Jimenez-Bautista and his brother set off from Tijuana leading a group of 10 people across the border and into the Otay Mountain wilderness area, where the defendant purposely isolated the victim from the rest of that group, according to the plea agreement. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2024 The most recent settlement extends the prohibition on Wildlife Services killing in wilderness areas and wilderness study areas in most cases to other predators. Keith Ridler, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wilderness area.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1928, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near wilderness area

Cite this Entry

“Wilderness area.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wilderness%20area. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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