deforestation

American  

[dee-fawr-uh-stey-shuhn, for-] / ˌdi fɔr əˈsteɪ ʃən, fɒr- /

noun

1. the clearing or severe thinning of a forest or other wooded area, leaving few or no trees.

   Most of the world’s deforestation is happening in Brazil.

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deforestation Scientific  

/ dē-fôr′ĭ-stā′shən /

1. The cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a forested area. Deforestation can erode soils, contribute to desertification and the pollution of waterways, and decrease biodiversity through the destruction of habitat.

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deforestation Cultural  

1. The process of destroying a forest and replacing it with something else. The term is used today to refer to the destruction of forests by human beings and their replacement by agricultural systems.

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Discover More

Deforestation is considered to be a main contributor to the greenhouse effect.

Etymology

Origin of deforestation

First recorded in 1870–75; deforest ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

Palm oil has long been associated with deforestation, and both Eni and Neste have officially removed it from their supply chains.

From Barron's

Environmentalists have also condemned the expansion of illegal mining in the area, saying it has caused rampant deforestation and river pollution.

From Barron's

Illegal mining has expanded in the country, with many environmentalists condemning the deforestation and pollution.

From BBC

Environmentalists have condemned the expansion of illegal mining in the area, saying it has caused rampant deforestation and river pollution.

From Barron's

But environmentalists who have long warned about the risks of rampant deforestation fear the current response will not solve the problem, and could even make it worse.

From Barron's

Related Words

• desertification
• erosion
• logging