noun
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the science of planting and caring for trees
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the planting and management of forests
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rare forest land
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of forestry
From the Middle French word foresterie, dating back to 1685–95. See forest, -ry
Explanation
The practice of managing or caring for woodlands is known as forestry. If you like the sound of all of those trees, some jobs associated with forestry include conservationist, park ranger, and timber manager. The word forestry, defined in the 17th century as "privilege of a royal forest," comes from the Medieval Latin forestem silvam, "the outside woods." By the mid-1800s, the word began to be used for "science of managing forests," a meaning it still holds today. The term actually covers a lot of (heavily forested) ground, including preserving endangered trees, protecting the habitats of animals that depend on forests, and keeping humans safe from forest fires.
Vocabulary lists containing forestry
Africa - Introductory
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Canada - Introductory
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East Asia - Middle School
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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.
See Examples For:
The whole of Wales was placed into drought status last month in response to record-low river levels, dry soils, widespread wildfires and mounting impacts on wildlife, farming and forestry.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Even after a quarter-century of declining paper markets, forestry and related manufacturing remain among the region’s largest industries and employers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
"There is no shortage of programmes or of funds," Merz said Wednesday, adding that the government would examine potential aid for the agricultural and forestry sectors after drought and forest fires.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
A coalition of farming, forestry, restaurant and packaging organizations sued the state in March, arguing the law violates their right to free speech.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
I wonder if they’re actually cutting down trees and sleeping in tents at that forestry camp.
From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings
Sundstrom reckons sectors such as integrated forestries and shipping could enjoy significant price gains "as markets are still betting on prices mean-reverting."
From Reuters ● Aug. 11, 2021
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.
