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

• 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

These are the same types of structures responsible for clearing waste throughout the body.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

After clearing a few hurdles–chefs and mixologists were wary of going to work at a place that’s so hidden and in such close proximity to gas pumps and cheap snacks–the cooler door opened last April.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Doncic scored his final points of the night on a two-handed dunk in transition, methodically jumping off of both feet before barely clearing the top of the rim.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The prediction clearing tool is available for “any firm that’s looking to offer clearing services on prediction markets,” Shirley said.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

A dozen dryads stood at the edge of the clearing, watching, as Erato bent over the great pile of wood.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Related Words

• clearance
• expanse