Definition of defoliate
: to deprive of leaves especially prematurely
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Examples of defoliate in a Sentence
a chemical used to defoliate trees
Insects are defoliating the trees.
Recent Examples of defoliate from the Web
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The limes with the mechanic’s light show very little damage, but the lemons are defoliating.
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Nearly the whole forest, 28,000 acres, was defoliated, no leaves, and giant trees were upside down.
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When infestation is light, larvae will eat leaves on only a few branches; however, a heavy infestation can defoliate an entire tree in a short period of time.
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Mangrove trees were defoliated, the wind having stripped their leaves off.
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But there are so many of the voracious pests out there this spring that some trees are already being defoliated, Stafford said, and more are likely to be stripped of their leaves before the fungus can have a real impact.
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His apple, peach, plum and pear trees were defoliated.
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While urine has little direct impact on vegetation, some animals are attracted to the salts and may defoliate plants or dig up soil as a result.
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There was a significant outbreak of the pest in Rhode Island and in large sections of eastern Connecticut starting in 2015 and even larger areas of Connecticut were defoliated last year.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defoliate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of defoliate
DEFOLIATE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of defoliate for English Language Learners
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: to cause the leaves of (a plant) to fall off
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