forestry

noun

for·​est·​ry ˈfȯr-ə-strē 

ˈfär-

1

: forestland

2

a

: the science of developing, caring for, or cultivating forests

b

: the management of growing timber

Did you know?

This is the management of forested land, along with associated waters and wasteland, primarily for harvesting timber, but also for conservation and recreation purposes. The harvesting and replanting of timber are the primary activities of forestry, and the main objective is to maintain a continuous supply of timber through carefully planned harvest and replacement. The forest manager is also responsible for the application of other land controls, including the protection of wildlife and the protection of forests from weeds, insects, fungal diseases, erosion, and fire. The planned management of forests originated in early medieval Europe, where laws regulated the felling of timber and the use of forests for hunting. In 1891 the US government authorized its first reserves of forested land.

Examples of forestry in a Sentence

She studied forestry in college.

Recent Examples on the Web

This figure, however, excludes emissions from land-use change and forestry. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026

Most commercial forestry operations still rely on monocultures, and these plantations are counted toward international planting campaigns aimed at slowing climate change and reversing biodiversity loss. —John Parker, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026

The development site is in a moderate high fire hazard zone and is directly adjacent to a severe high fire hazard zone, according to an official map posted by the state forestry and fire protection department (CAL Fire). —George Avalos, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026

At one point, the fire on Buzzard Mountain spanned around 60 acres as federal and state forestry crews fought the flames on the ground and from the air. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forestry

• agroforestry

Kids Definition

forestry

noun

for·​est·​ry ˈfȯr-ə-strē 

ˈfär-

: the science and practice of caring for forests