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

Kimani parked beside a clearing where chairs had been arranged around a fire. —Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026

In San Jose, Mahan, who took office in 2023, has made encampment clearings a centerpiece of his administration. —Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026

The Heat also over the past year dealt away forward Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets, in a cap-clearing move, with Highsmith waived Thursday by the Nets. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026

The practice is also gentler on sensitive areas near water, Johnson said, making it a more environmentally-friendly than mulchers and mechanical clearing. —Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 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