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

Concepts about clearing the mind and being present.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Friedman notes that the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp. is extending its hours so there will be real-time clearing.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

The real opportunity isn’t clearing space for one generation by pushing out another.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

For council teams who end up clearing the litter along busier roads, the danger is often mitigated by having to temporarily close routes – to the inconvenience of commuters.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

With his other hand, Ben pushes aside leafy branches blocking our gravel path, and we step into a grassy clearing.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• clearance
• expanse