noun
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the science of planting and caring for trees
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the planting and management of forests
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rare forest land
Etymology
Origin of forestry
From the Middle French word foresterie, dating back to 1685–95. See forest, -ry
Explanation
The practice of managing or caring for woodlands is known as forestry. If you like the sound of all of those trees, some jobs associated with forestry include conservationist, park ranger, and timber manager. The word forestry, defined in the 17th century as "privilege of a royal forest," comes from the Medieval Latin forestem silvam, "the outside woods." By the mid-1800s, the word began to be used for "science of managing forests," a meaning it still holds today. The term actually covers a lot of (heavily forested) ground, including preserving endangered trees, protecting the habitats of animals that depend on forests, and keeping humans safe from forest fires.
Vocabulary lists containing forestry
Africa - Introductory
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Canada - Introductory
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East Asia - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In February, Sumitomo Forestry said it was buying Tri Pointe Homes for $4.5 billion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
If nests are found on private land, residents should contact the Forestry Commission, and the Neighbourhood Team in Woking if on public land, a council spokesperson said.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
Raman has previously joined an effort by her colleagues to push back on making these guidelines requirements for areas that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection deems as having very high fire risk.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
Around 12:48 p.m., the California Highway Patrol responded to a report of a crash north of Scott Creek, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
In Toledo, Ohio, a similar experience caused the Superintendent of Forestry, Joseph A. Sweeney, to take a realistic look at the results of spraying.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
