deforestation

noun

de·​for·​es·​ta·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈstā-shən 

-ˌfär-

: the action or process of clearing of forests

also : the state of having been cleared of forests

Examples of deforestation in a Sentence

the deforestation of the island

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2023, deforestation in the Darien shot up after years of decline, according to the latest data from Global Forest Watch, which monitors deforestation using satellites. —Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025

For example, there’s a direct link between deforestation in the Amazon and the reduction of rainfall in the United States, and deforestation of the Congo Basin has a direct impact on reduction of rainfall in Europe (Duke research). —Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

According to a January report, in recent years, deforestation due to soy production has increased. —Sarah Sax, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025

The largest cause of deforestation is a lack of demand for forest products, which causes our forest to be converted to industrial, agricultural, residential uses. —Rob Marciano, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deforestation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

deforestation

noun

de·​for·​es·​ta·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈstā-shən 

-ˌfär-

: the action or process of clearing an area of forests

also : the state of having been cleared of forests

deforest

(ˈ)dē-ˈfȯr-əst 

-ˈfär-

verb