Nature is the physical world beyond human construction. It includes plants, animals, landscapes, oceans, weather, and the forces that shape them. A forest is nature. So is a desert, a coral reef, and a thunderstorm. The word carries different meanings in different contexts. It can mean the essential character of something, as in human nature. It can mean the outdoors. It can mean the entire cosmos.

People relate to nature in varied ways. Some see it as a resource to use. Others see it as a place to visit, protect, or revere. Indigenous cultures often treat nature as a relative, not a commodity. Industrial societies have tended to view it as raw material. These different perspectives shape how land and water get managed.

Nature is not separate from humans. Cities depend on watersheds, pollinators, and climate regulation. Even the most urban environment relies on natural systems. Recognizing that dependence is central to environmental thinking. The line between nature and culture is blurry and often contested.

Common meanings

• The physical world
• Wild places and wildlife
• Essential character
• The cosmos
• That which is not human-made