deforestation
n. uncountablen. the act of cutting down or clearing away trees from a large area of land. This usually happens to make room for farms or buildings.
n. the permanent removal of trees to make room for something besides forest. Often results from agricultural expansion, logging, or urban development.
Deforestation is a major cause of habitat loss for many animals.
The government introduced new laws to slow down deforestation in the tropical rainforest.
Environmental scientists argue that large-scale deforestation contributes significantly to global warming by reducing the planet's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
From deforest + -ation. First attested in 1870.
Uncountable in its general sense; can be used with 'of' to specify the location or type of forest.