clearing
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
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.
Clearing the uterus is standard care to stop hemorrhaging; misoprostol would only make the bleeding worse, they said.
From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026
A number of other galleries have closed in recent months across Los Angeles, including Blum, Nino Mier Gallery, Clearing, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery and L.A.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
Prediction-market firm Kalshi is set to partner with Fidelity National Information Service to launch FIS CD Prediction Clearing, the companies told Barron’s ahead of a planned announcement on Tuesday.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
In the first 11 months of 2025, IPO fundraising reached HK$259.4 billion, more than triple the amount raised a year earlier, according to Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 31, 2025
Clearing his throat, he got down on his hands and knees.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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.
