defoliate

[ verb dee-foh-lee-eyt; adjective dee-foh-lee-it, -eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing.

1. to strip (a tree, bush, etc.) of leaves.
2. to destroy or cause widespread loss of leaves in (an area of jungle, forest, etc.), as by using chemical sprays or incendiary bombs, in order to deprive enemy troops or guerrilla forces of concealment.

verb (used without object)

, de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing.

1. to lose leaves.

adjective

1. (of a tree) having lost its leaves, especially by a natural process.

defoliate

verb

1. to deprive (a plant) of its leaves, as by the use of a herbicide, or (of a plant) to shed its leaves

adjective

1. (of a plant) having shed its leaves

Derived Forms

• deˈfoliˌator, noun
• deˌfoliˈation, noun

Other Words From

• de·foli·ation noun
• de·foli·ator noun
• unde·foli·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defoliate¹

1785–1795; < Medieval Latin dēfoliātus, past participle of dēfoliāre, equivalent to Latin dē- de- + foli ( um ) leaf + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of defoliate¹

C18: from Medieval Latin dēfoliāre, from Latin de- + folium leaf

Example Sentences

When neglected for two or three years, they often defoliate large trees.

From Project Gutenberg