clearing

1 of 2

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

clearing

2 of 2

present participle of clear entry 3

Synonyms of clearing

Noun

• pardon
• forgiveness
• vindication
• acquittal
• exoneration

Examples of clearing in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

An autonomous underwater vehicle has completed an end-to-end mine countermeasure demonstration, bringing naval forces closer to safer and faster mine-clearing operations. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

Freedom seekers followed Sherman’s troops east, some clearing roads ahead of the march. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Nov. 2026

After decades of high-profile disappointments, amyloid-clearing drugs have been celebrated as breakthroughs, possibly even the beginnings of a cure. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026

Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist, and Joel Eriksson Ek scored what proved to be the winner after a Flyers clearing attempt hit a referee as the Minnesota Wild beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 on Tuesday night. — CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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