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

People out on the streets were mostly workers clearing snow, but a few folks braved the blizzard conditions. —Phil Helsel, NBC news, 23 Feb. 2026

Once families were starving, Washington sent envoys to meet with them in a clearing. —Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026

The violent, multi-step cut resulted in a stadium-clearing home run that sparked a roar from the crowd at Steinbrenner Field. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026

To track the snowplows and road clearing operations in Annapolis. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 22 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