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

Mayor Michelle Wu implemented a plan to clean up the troubled intersection, commonly known as Mass and Cass, in November 2023, beginning with the clearing of a long-standing homeless encampment. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025

The entire system is expected to be through the region by Monday morning, and gradual clearing from the cloudy days is expected to take place into early next week. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025

The clearing of trees on the south grounds and other site preparation work for the construction started in September. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

That is despite the fact that polls showed that her candidacy in the California gubernatorial race would have a field-clearing effect. —Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 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