deforestation

noun

de·​for·​es·​ta·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈstā-shən 

-ˌfär-

: the action or process of clearing of forests

also : the state of having been cleared of forests

Examples of deforestation in a Sentence

the deforestation of the island

Recent Examples on the Web

Among the award recipients were Unilever, for its sustainability efforts, which is working toward net zero emissions, regenerative agriculture, 97 percent deforestation, free sourcing and major cuts in virgin plastic by 2026. —James Manso, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025

Our proprietary technology combines geospatial analysis, artificial intelligence, and data science to identify rural properties with high potential both for environmental preservation and for deforestation risk. —Tarciana Medeiros, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025

The species faces significant threats from deforestation on their island home, according to the zoo. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025

Melting sea ice and deforestation are continuing to drive many species toward extinction, with the latest Red List of Threatened Species showing that more than a quarter of all animals, plants and fungi assessed are at risk. —Nell Lewis, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deforestation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

deforestation

noun

de·​for·​es·​ta·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈstā-shən 

-ˌfär-

: the action or process of clearing an area of forests

also : the state of having been cleared of forests

deforest

(ˈ)dē-ˈfȯr-əst 

-ˈfär-

verb