afforestation

noun

af·​for·​es·​ta·​tion (ˌ)a-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce afforestation (audio)
ə-,
-ˌfär-
: the act or process of establishing a forest especially on land not previously forested
afforest
a-ˈfȯr-əst How to pronounce afforestation (audio)
-ˈfär-
transitive verb

Examples of afforestation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the late 19th century, Nebraska’s largely treeless grasslands inspired Morton Salt Company founder J. Sterling Morton to advocate for mass afforestation, an effort that led to the first Arbor Day in 1872. Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 The researchers said their findings should not suggest afforestation and carbon offsetting are futile. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 At that rate, afforestation offsets would cost the 200 largest fossil fuel companies around $10.8 trillion — or roughly 11% of global GDP, according to the study. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 In Ningxia, a major afforestation zone, outbreaks involving the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) have wiped out millions of poplar trees, erasing decades of progress. Scott Travers, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for afforestation

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin afforestātiōn-, afforestātiō, from afforestāre "to convert into a forest" (from Latin ad- ad- + verbal derivative of Late Latin forestis "unenclosed woodland, forest entry 1") + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of afforestation was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Afforestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afforestation. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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