clearing

[ kleer-ing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that clears; the process of becoming clear.
2. a tract of land, as in a forest, that contains no trees or bushes.
3. the reciprocal exchange between banks of checks and drafts, and the settlement of the differences.
4. clearings, the total of claims settled at a clearinghouse.

clearing

/ ˈklɪərɪŋ /

noun

1. an area with few or no trees or shrubs in wooded or overgrown land

Other Words From

• un·clearing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of clearing¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, clearing is from the Middle English word clering. See clear, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Some slow clearing chances in the afternoon where we might even see some partly sunny skies.

From Washington Post

The clearing process will be slowest to the east, but most spots should ditch clouds by midnight or so.

From Washington Post

The 1960s cedar-shingled bungalow sits on a grassy clearing just up from the high-tide line of Haro Strait on the northwestern edge of San Juan Island in Washington State.

From Outside Online

Then there’s a clearing broker-dealer, Robinhood Securities, that clears and settles the trades.

From TechCrunch

Skies may see partial clearing Tuesday night with lows in the low to mid-20sWednesday brings partly sunny skies, but with probably even stronger winds from the northwest, perhaps gusting near 40 mph.

From Washington Post

Not only will it immediately save lives, but the threat of jail time has a way of clearing the mind on subjects such as these.

From The Daily Beast

A morning mist hung over everything, clearing occasionally to reveal lone fishermen.

From The Daily Beast

He was clearing the decks for the president who had defeated Hillary in the 2008 primaries.

From The Daily Beast

Clearing the river of legal commercial traffic, Naw Kham now had total control over what and who moved on the water.

From The Daily Beast

Boon Clatterbuck throwing his whiskey bottle away, Jack Teagarden almost clearing his throat.

From The Daily Beast

It therefore took under favorable consideration the question of a voluntary clearing system.

From Project Gutenberg

I met him striding toward the building that seemed to be a clearing house for the official contingent.

From Project Gutenberg

Be that as it may, the Railway Clearing House, as a practical entity, came into being in 1842.

From Project Gutenberg

Sam,” said Mr. Pickwick, clearing his throat, “your father and I have been having some conversation about you.

From Project Gutenberg

Crucifixes and shrines surrounded the clearing like the sentries of a beleaguering army.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clearance
• expanse