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 of clearing

• pardon
• forgiveness
• vindication
• acquittal
• exoneration

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 attention to detail even extends to creating individual ambiences for each of the five steam and sauna rooms, including the forest clearing steam room, which feels like sitting in a fairytale glade. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026

There may be some late afternoon clearing, and temperatures will be closer to normal in the mid-70s. —Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 23 May 2026

What began as a brief conversation quickly turned into a benches- and bullpen-clearing scrum. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 23 May 2026

Cliff edges, forest clearings, and island horizons; the contemporary properties are designed to dissolve into their surroundings. —William Jones, USA Today, 18 May 2026

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