clearing
Americannoun
noun
Other Word 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.
Vocabulary lists containing clearing
Of Mice and Men
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The Wild Robot
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King and the Dragonflies
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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.
Their daily work included collecting ice fragments brought up during drilling and clearing snow from the camp, while specialized drillers worked through hundreds of feet of ice.
From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026
Unifil said the patrol had been clearing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghanduriyah to reconnect isolated positions.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
He foresees a “highly probable future” where blockchain becomes a major venue for NYSE’s core operations, such as trading, clearing, settlement, capital formation and data distribution, Blaugrund said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
Warsh’s paperwork, including his financial disclosures and committee questionnaire, has been submitted to the banking panel, clearing a large procedural hurdle.
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
Theo shakes his head, as if clearing water from his ear.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
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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.