nondomestic

Nondomestic is an adjective meaning not domestic, not tamed, or not intended for life in a home or household setting. It can describe animals, plants, or environments that occur in the wild or are not kept as pets, livestock, or ornamental introductions.

In zoology and ecology, nondomestic typically refers to wildlife or populations not domesticated by humans. Nondomestic species include wild animals in natural habitats as well as feral populations that have returned to a wild state after escape or abandonment. The term helps distinguish such organisms from domesticates that are bred, raised, and managed by people, such as dogs, cattle, or crop plants.

In building, planning, and taxation contexts, nondomestic (often written non-domestic) is used to describe properties and spaces that are not residential dwellings. Examples include offices, shops, factories, and warehouses. Laws, planning rules, and business rates commonly apply to nondomestic properties, separate from those governing homes.

Spelling and usage notes: Non-domestic and nondomestic are variants. Non-domestic is more common in some varieties of English, while nondomestic appears in others or in closed compounds. The meaning remains the same; the choice of form often depends on regional practice or specific style guides.

Etymology: The word combines the prefix non- with domestic, which derives from Latin domesticus, meaning of the home. The term is used across disciplines to indicate a distinction from things associated with home life or human domestication.