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

• 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

Anyhoodle, the three dudes went to a clearing and saw hanging net buckets and a stack of coconuts. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025

There arc few, if any, clearings, old apple trees, and old stone walls. —Worth Matthewson, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025

Measures also include restricting dollar-clearing and maritime insurance, blacklisting intermediaries and dark fleet tankers, and targeting front companies. —Robert Muggah, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025

Atlanta loaded the bases with nobody out, and Reed Garrett was on the verge of escaping unscathed when Marcell Ozuna laced a bases-clearing, game-tying double to left. —Will Sammon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 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