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

Its sweeping landscapes—from arid deserts to lush rainforests—mirror its extraordinary biodiversity: nearly 90% of its plant and animal species are found nowhere else on Earth, an ecosystem increasingly imperiled by deforestation and climate change. —Liam Freeman, Vogue, 29 July 2025

These recycled products also eliminate the need to produce entirely new ones, which would entail deforestation. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025

And my PhD topic was about how deforestation in the Amazon could impact the regional climate of the Amazon itself. —Quanta Magazine, 10 July 2025

Food production alone is the leading driver of deforestation, land degradation, and wildlife extinction. —Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 30 July 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