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

Launched in 2015, Shield AI initially aimed to solve a fatal problem dogging U.S. service members in the Middle East: clearing buildings held by adversaries. —David Jeans, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

Slash-and-burn methods of land clearing have sparked wildfires that can rage for weeks. —Lindsey McGinnis, Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2025

Activists have criticized clearing acres of trees, said that a firing range on campus could be dangerous and that the project would change the Matthews campus’ culture for the worse. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2025

The program shells out roughly $20 million each year on individualized home safety assessments, home hardening and vegetation clearing grants and evacuation route clearing operations. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 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