clearing

1 of 2

noun

clear·​ing ˈklir-iŋ 

1

: the act or process of making or becoming clear

2

: a tract of land cleared of wood and brush

3

: the settlement of accounts or exchange of financial instruments especially between banks

clearing

2 of 2

present participle of clear entry 3

Synonyms of clearing

Noun

• pardon
• forgiveness
• vindication
• acquittal
• exoneration

Examples of clearing in a Sentence

Noun

the clearing of the table

the clearing of wood and brush from part of the forest

We found a clearing in the forest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As high pressure and a ridge move in behind the departing system on Monday, there will be some early morning showers followed by gradual clearing into the afternoon and evening. — Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Plumas National Forest, California About 100 miles northeast of California’s state capital, Derek Young stood in the middle of a clearing in Plumas National Forest. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

After bulldozers were spotted in August clearing land in Big Bend, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott announced a pause on all activity there, and it was later expanded to the area upstream of the park. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

The path was lined with stone steps and gorgeous clearings overlooking the water. — Elleanna Revell, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clearing

• clearing bank

Rhymes for clearing

• cheering
• earing
• earring
• fearing
• gearing
• hearing
• jeering
• leering
• nearing
• peering
• rearing
• searing

Kids Definition

clearing

noun

clear·​ing ˈkli(ə)r-iŋ 

1

: the act or process of making or becoming clear

2

: an area of land cleared of wood and brush