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

Superior Court of California, Placer County A few yards away, in a clearing among the trees, her grave lay hidden under an old mattress. —Natalie Morales, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2025

Hamas said its delegation held talks in Cairo with Egyptian officials and was in contact with Qatar’s prime minister about bringing into Gaza more shelters, medical supplies, fuel and heavy equipment for clearing rubble — its key demand in recent days. —Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025

His girlfriend’s brother and two friends appear to be the first ones to have found him after lunchtime that December day, still sitting in his truck in the open clearings that follow the power lines. —Adam Carlson, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025

The moisture is expected to continue through Thursday, before the weather service said clearing will start to take place on Friday. —Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clearing

• clearing bank

Rhymes for clearing

• cheering
• earing
• earring
• fearing
• gearing
• hearing
• jeering
• leering
• nearing
• peering
• rearing
• searing

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