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

Stream beds were exempt from vegetation clearing, an attempt to keep powerful winter flows from sluicing sediment into the lake. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025

Nearly every restaurant has a utility worker whose duties might include clearing tables, washing dishes, repairing equipment and often prepping food. —Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025

This included moving equipment and personnel toward the border near the border of the Belgorod and Kursk regions overnight, and clearing mines in the areas of Prilesye, Grafovka, and Demidovka in the morning. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025

How, for instance, will the U.S. govern conflicts of interest if a company tries to serve as trading firm, exchange and clearing house all in one? —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 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