wilderness wil·der·ness \ˈwil-dər-nəs\ 1a (1) :  a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings (2) :  an area essentially undisturbed by human activity together with its naturally developed life communityb :  an empty or pathless area or regionc :  a part of a garden devoted to wild growth 2 obsolete :  wild or uncultivated state 3a :  a confusing multitude or mass :  an indefinitely great number or quantity b :  a bewildering situation