deforestation

noun

de·​for·​es·​ta·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce deforestation (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the 1980s, rampant deforestation left the country with just 21% forest cover. Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 Around 1,125 to 1,200 years ago, pollen from crops such as maize and opportunistic herbs surged, at the same time tree pollen dropped, reflecting widespread deforestation. Francisca Oboh Ikuenobe, The Conversation, 20 May 2025 In Nigeria alone, more than 3.2 million acres of tree cover have disappeared since 2000 in a global deforestation crisis that has wiped out nearly 1.2 billion acres in two decades. Ogar Monday, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025 Many of them are poor people in rural areas of Africa without easy access to treatment. Jan. 6, 2025 While deforestation, human sprawl and climate change have heightened the danger from snake attacks in recent years, research on antivenom has not kept pace with demand. Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for deforestation

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deforestation was in 1874

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deforestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deforestation. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

deforestation

noun
de·​for·​es·​ta·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce deforestation (audio)
-ˌfär-
: the action or process of clearing an area of forests
also : the state of having been cleared of forests
deforest verb

More from Merriam-Webster on deforestation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!