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

The forestry board, however, had missed a January 2023 deadline to approve regulations to put Zone Zero into force — and the rules remained in limbo when LA burned. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2025

Advertisement Can carbon programs and forestry economies coexist? —Xander Peters, Time, 30 July 2025

The five forestry workers and five members of the AKUT rescue organization died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province, Yumakli said. —CNN Money, 24 July 2025

Agricultural Assets: The New Safe Haven For family offices with substantial agricultural holdings such as farms, ranches and forestry operations, the legislation creates unprecedented advantages. —Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

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