clearing

noun

clear·​ing ˈklir-iŋ 

1

: the act or process of making or becoming clear

2

: a tract of land cleared of wood and brush

3

: the settlement of accounts or exchange of financial instruments especially between banks

Synonyms

• acquittal
• exculpation
• exoneration
• vindication

Examples of clearing in a Sentence

the clearing of the table

the clearing of wood and brush from part of the forest

We found a clearing in the forest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Michael said that if the group can even become a clearing house for statistics on distracted driving, that is a victory. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024

Photos shared by the fire department show the mangled tower draped across a dirt clearing behind a line of homes. —Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024

Bedard gloved a Sharks clearing attempt in midair to keep the puck in the zone and the attack alive. —Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2024

Nestled in a clearing in the woods and flanked on one end by a lake, the area was founded in the 6th century, with surviving buildings dating from the 10th to the 12th centuries. —Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clearing

• clearing bank

Kids Definition

clearing

noun

clear·​ing ˈkli(ə)r-iŋ 

1

: the act or process of making or becoming clear

2

: an area of land cleared of wood and brush