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

The appeal was made moot when the final COP30 agreement didn’t include a fossil fuel phase-out—instead, the presidency created separate roadmaps, outside the COP negotiation process, to address fossil fuels and deforestation. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 26 Nov. 2025

Separate roadmaps for deforestation, food systems, and adaptation are emerging through similar partnerships. —Paul Polman, Time, 25 Nov. 2025

Environmental activists have previously targeted the palm oil industry due to deforestation concerns, among others. —Angelica Ang, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025

But eradication has also worsened deforestation by pushing cultivation into more remote areas, Soberon said. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 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