rewilding

American  

[ree-wahyl-ding] / riˈwaɪl dɪŋ /

noun

1. the process of introducing animals or plants to their original habitat or one similar.

2. the process of returning land to an earlier, more natural state.

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rewilding British  

/ riːˈwaɪldɪŋ /

noun

1. the practice of returning areas of land to a wild state, including the reintroduction of animal species that are no longer naturally found there

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Etymology

Origin of rewilding

First recorded in 1990–95; rewild ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rewilding

A group of storks born and raised by a Sussex rewilding project have been spotted nesting in a Surrey industrial estate in what has been called a "major milestone" for the scheme.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

Originally from Dublin, he sold his house in 2009 and has been rewilding his farm in Cork ever since.

From BBC ● May 25, 2026

For a decade, researchers have been working to reintroduce 12 other endemic species to Floreana as part of a rewilding program.

From Barron's ● Feb. 20, 2026

However, in recent years rewilding projects have been reintroducing beavers to several parts of England and Scotland.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2025

Since Paris restricted the use of pesticides during the 2010s, an extraordinary rewilding has taken place in the cemetery.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025