free-ranging

adjective

free-rang·​ing ˈfrē-ˈrān-jiŋ How to pronounce free-ranging (audio)
1
: moving or able to move or range freely over a wide area without restriction
free-ranging animals
I began roaming the streets to observe how free-ranging cats—feral cats and strays, as well as house cats allowed to wander freely—make a living in a city.—James E. Childs
2
: not limited or narrow in scope or extent : wide-ranging
a free-ranging discussion
Mr. Enright is comparatively free-ranging and various in writing about what engages him; his subjects range from professors of literature to computers to "correctness" to aging and, above all, to words.—William H. Pritchard

Examples of free-ranging 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.
Conservation efforts have included replacing cattle with free-ranging bison, restoring Rio Grande cutthroat trout habitat, and using prescribed fire and forest management to improve ecosystem health. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026 Our initial work focused on an overall assessment of what free-ranging cats eat around the world. — Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026 Electrocution injuries are mostly seen in large free-ranging raptors, according to the Association of Avian Veterinarians. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Spanning 71,000 acres, Custer State Park has plenty of room to share with its free-ranging bison herd and wildlife like elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. — Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for free-ranging

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of free-ranging was in 1841

Rhymes for free-ranging

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Browse Nearby Words

free-range
free-ranging
free rate
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Cite this Entry

“Free-ranging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free-ranging. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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