deforestation

[dee-fawr-uh-stey-shuhn, for-]

noun

1. the clearing or severe thinning of a forest or other wooded area, leaving few or no trees.

   Most of the world’s deforestation is happening in Brazil.

deforestation

1. The cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a forested area. Deforestation can erode soils, contribute to desertification and the pollution of waterways, and decrease biodiversity through the destruction of habitat.

deforestation

1. The process of destroying a forest and replacing it with something else. The term is used today to refer to the destruction of forests by human beings and their replacement by agricultural systems.

Deforestation is considered to be a main contributor to the greenhouse effect.

Word History and Origins

Origin of deforestation¹

First recorded in 1870–75; deforest ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

A lot of deforestation and land-clearing in the Amazon has been driven by agriculture and mining, sometimes illegally - but Ms Riaño said the bill is "going backwards" on efforts to prevent that.

From BBC

In addition, by focusing on afforestation, it does not account for other approaches that are central to tackling climate change, such as preventing deforestation and restoring existing forests.

From Los Angeles Times

Imam Shofwan, an environmental campaigner from an organisation called Jatam, based in Jakarta, told BBC News: "They say nickel is a solution to the climate crisis. But it's causing deforestation and destroying farmland."

From BBC

These supply routes have resulted in deforestation and left a lasting imprint on the region's mountains.

From BBC

Led by British company Airbus, the project hopes to help scientists more accurately model climate change and track rates of deforestation.

From BBC

Related Words

• desertification 
• erosion 
• logging