free-ranging
adjective
free-rang·ing
ˈfrē-ˈrān-jiŋ
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
Cite this Entry
“Free-ranging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free-ranging. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.
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