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

Another issue is the process of demining once a conflict is over, and clearing land that has been mined can take a long period of time.

From BBC

Israeli troops have continued clearing northern Gaza of inhabitants, calling for mass evacuations that many rights groups contend are a prelude to Israel’s occupation of parts of the enclave.

From Los Angeles Times

"This suggests these early inhabitants were clearing forests by burning them, in order to create open spaces for subsistence and perhaps cultural activities," said Adeleye.

From Science Daily

Indeed, some in that chamber want to know more about Gaetz’s potential misconduct before clearing him to be the nation’s top investigator.

From Salon

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

Related Words

• clearance
• expanse