rewilding

1 of 2

noun

re·​wild·​ing (ˌ)rē-ˈwī(-ə)l-diŋ How to pronounce rewilding (audio)
: an effort to increase biodiversity and restore the natural processes of an ecosystem that typically involves reducing or ceasing human activity and often the planned reintroduction of a plant or animal species and especially a keystone species
Rewilding—giving nature the space and opportunity to express itself—is largely a leap of faith.Isabella Tree
Large-scale domestic rewilding projects include dam removal in the Pacific Northwest and in the Northeast to facilitate the return of several endangered species of salmon, as well as reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park, which stabilized and reinvigorated the ecosystem.Carey Smith
The concept of rewilding creates hope; it gives the opportunity to set things right, to link protected areas through corridors, to bring back species once lost, and to revitalize our forests, rivers, and wetlands with all forms of life.Bahar Dutt
The truth of when this forest actually existed and why it disappeared is murky. … Now, a group of visionary conservationists and ecotourism companies are working to revive the landscape through rewilding.Chloe Berge

rewilding

2 of 2

present participle of rewild

Examples of rewilding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Vox contributor Cat Willet explored the potential of rewilding — a movement that encompasses efforts on wide swaths of landscape and can include things like returning apex predators like grizzly bears back to an ecosystem. Umair Irfan, Vox, 28 Dec. 2024 That is the extraordinary nature of rewilding, um, species who are at the top of the triangle, who ... Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 June 2023 In a statement, rewilding charity Scotland: The Big Picture notes that lynx reintroduction has been successful in Germany, France and Switzerland. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025 Instead, try to pursue two new KPIs in a world marked by social rewilding. Olof Schybergson, Fortune Asia, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rewilding 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

rewild + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1993, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rewilding was in 1993

Dictionary Entries Near rewilding

Cite this Entry

“Rewilding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rewilding. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!