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

The deer lined straight away across a small clearing. —Jeffrey A. Brunk, Outdoor Life, 10 Apr. 2025

The property’s six wooded acres include a clearing with a fire pit. —Michael Kaminer, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

On a small island off the southern coast of Australia, a spiky mammal emerged from the forest and walked through a clearing. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2025

Outside the formal banking system, check clearing delays create demand for expensive, and sometimes predatory, services like check-cashing that charge customers money for deposits that would be free at a normal bank. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 5 Mar. 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