clearing

American  

[kleer-ing] / ˈklɪər ɪŋ /

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.

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clearing British  

/ ˈklɪərɪŋ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unclearing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of clearing

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

Explanation

A clearing is an area that's open, with no trees, especially one in the middle of the woods or that's been cleared for planting. A clearing at the edge of the forest is a nice place to build a cabin. The noun clearing is a good way to describe an open place in the midst of dense growth, like a field or a glade in a forest. Some clearings are created deliberately for cultivating crops or building houses, while others come naturally from fires or droughts. This word first appeared in American English around 1818.

Example Sentences

The suit was settled just ahead of the Federal Communications Commission clearing the way for the takeover of Paramount by David Ellison’s Skydance Media.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Gap also said it’s had trouble clearing out merchandise at athletics apparel brand Athleta, where same-store sales tumbled 11%.

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

While trimming back Valerie's hedges and clearing brambles, the 24-year-old spotted a rusted, 50cm device that looked "almost like a mortar stood up on its tail".

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Once one of China’s bestselling makers of extended-range hybrid vehicles, Li Auto has spent the quarter clearing inventory of its older L-series models, hurting profitability.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

I’m seated on a fallen tree in a clearing.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Related Words

• clearance
• expanse