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

Clearing his throat, Danson chimes in, at once teasing and sincere: “What I heard was the 50-and-under takeaway. I would like to add for the older folks: Keep your foot on the gas pedal. Live! This is your life until it ain’t. Go for it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Another independent study found that both hardening the home and clearing nearby spaces of flammable brush cut the chance of destruction in half — from 40% chance to 20%.

From Los Angeles Times

Once an ember ignites vegetation near the bottom, the flames can quickly scale both sides and rising heat dries out the vegetation ahead, practically clearing a path for the fire to race through.

From Los Angeles Times

Other measures did little to save houses — such as clearing nearby flammable vegetation beyond 15 feet around the house, which, at best, reduced the risk by 3%.

From Los Angeles Times

The accident occurred on New Year’s Day 2023 while he was clearing the driveway at his home in Nevada.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clearance
• expanse