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

Cameron has directed or produced 14 documentary films or series and is also the Avatar Alliance Foundation to fund action on climate change, deforestation, indigenous rights, ocean conservation, and sustainable agriculture. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026

There were as many as 2,000 Hainan gibbons living on the island in the 1950s, but deforestation and hunting led to a severe decline, according to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which is working to conserve the species. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026

Players may be asked whether a coup will occur in an unstable country, or to project the future deforestation rate in some part of the Amazon. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026

Animal agriculture is also a leading driver of climate catastrophe, deforestation, water pollution and biodiversity loss. —Arkansas Online, 2 Feb. 2026

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