Meaning & use
deforestation
Last updated
UK/ˌdiːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃən/
US/ˌdiːˌfɔːrɪˈsteɪʃən/
Meaning
noununcountable
The large-scale clearing of forests, typically for farming, logging, or development.
Grammar: Used as an uncountable noun; it does not take 'a' or plural forms.
Patterns
- deforestation of something
- cause deforestation
- prevent deforestation
Deforestation in the Amazon has increased in recent years.
The government introduced new laws to control deforestation.
Deforestation leads to loss of habitat for many species.
Common combinations
- large-scale deforestation
- Large-scale deforestation threatens the survival of indigenous communities.
- tropical deforestation
- Tropical deforestation is a major contributor to climate change.
- combat deforestation
- International organizations are working to combat deforestation.
- deforestation rates
- Deforestation rates have slowed in some countries.
Synonyms and how they differ
- clearance
- Can refer to the removal of trees, but often used in other contexts like land clearance.
- logging
- Specifically the cutting and transporting of timber, which may be a cause of deforestation.
Opposites
afforestationreforestation
Word family
- deforest verb
- To clear forests from an area.
- forestation noun
- The planting of forests; less common.
Commonly confused: deforestation or reforestation?
deforestation vs reforestation
Reforestation means replanting forests, while deforestation means clearing them.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'deforestation' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Only option A uses 'deforestation' in its environmental sense. The other options misuse the word with unrelated objects.
Make it your own
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