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.
Helen Wakeham, chairperson of the National Drought Group, said: "We are seeing the effects on our farmers, our wildlife, and the amount available for public and business use."
From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026
Bathing water quality can be affected by several factors including sewage spills, heavy rain, agricultural run-off, urban pollution and wildlife.
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
After being hunted to extinction a century ago, gray wolves are continuing their remarkable comeback story in California, with state wildlife officials reporting a modern record number of the apex predators in 2025.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
After reading Mr. Kneale’s op-ed we have an idea for a new slogan for the Sunshine State: Florida, where wildlife roams free and so do you.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
A disturbing example of the latter seems to be building up on the national wildlife refuges at Tule Lake and Lower Klamath, both in California.
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.
