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

Example Sentences

Analysts expect management will tout advances the company has made in clearing out old inventory and fixing relationships with key wholesale partners.

From Barron's

"Farmers are clearing forests to grow more crops, but those forests help generate the rainfall that the crops depend on. If that moisture source disappears, local food security will be at greater risk."

From Science Daily

He has called for cleaning up parks, clearing homeless encampments and painting over graffiti.

From The Wall Street Journal

Federal judges have spent the weeks since the act was signed into law clearing hurdles to disclosure.

From Salon

Williams and Corum credit the offensive line, tight ends and receivers for clearing the way.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clearance
• expanse