wildlife
Americannoun
adjective
noun
Etymology
Origin of wildlife
Explanation
Animals that aren't tamed or domesticated are collectively known as wildlife. One of the things people love about visiting the Galapagos Islands is seeing all the unusual wildlife. All of the wild animals that live in a particular area (and sometimes the plants as well) fall under the category of wildlife. If you're dedicated to protecting wildlife, it means you care about keeping native animals from being harmed by humans. A wildlife refuge or sanctuary is a place where animals can roam without being hunted, and native plants grow freely.
Vocabulary lists containing wildlife
Endangered Species and Wildlife Conservation
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for July 3–July 9, 2021
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for June 8–June 14, 2024
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Prof Michael Singer from Cardiff University has expressed concern about the effect on wildlife, as "many animals and plants in the UK are not well adapted to extreme drought conditions."
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
As a homeowner, explore non-chemical alternatives first, and apply any treatments sparingly and responsibly to minimize harm to beneficial insects and other wildlife.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
Critics said the choice of site was inappropriate because of wildlife concerns, and that the roof of the applicant's house beside the proposed site would possibly be more suitable.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
Launches and reentries of spacecraft can generate a lot of noise, alter wildlife habitats and have other impacts on the surrounding landscapes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Despite these crippling difficulties, the biologists assembled facts that collectively paint a picture of almost unparalleled wildlife destruction — destruction that became obvious as soon as the program got under way.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
