Word
thinning
Phoneticsthin·ning
US/ˈθɪnɪŋ/
UK/θˈɪnɪŋ/
Definition
n. the act of removing some plants or branches so the remaining ones have more space to grow. This helps the healthy plants get more light and food from the soil.
n. the selective removal of plants, branches, or parts of a crop to improve the growth and yield of the remaining specimens. Often used in forestry and horticulture to reduce competition for light and nutrients.
Examples
“Thinning the carrots helps the remaining ones grow larger.”
“Proper thinning of the orchard ensures that the remaining fruit receives enough sunlight to ripen fully before harvest.”
“In sustainable forestry, thinning is a critical management practice that reduces the density of the canopy to promote the health of the most vigorous trees.”
Examples
simple
“Thinning the carrots helps the remaining ones grow larger.”
contextual
“Proper thinning of the orchard ensures that the remaining fruit receives enough sunlight to ripen fully before harvest.”
complex
“In sustainable forestry, thinning is a critical management practice that reduces the density of the canopy to promote the health of the most vigorous trees.”
Usage
Often functions as a gerund noun; frequently followed by the preposition 'of'.
Real-World Examples
“DDT caused the thinning of bird eggshells and thus reproductive failure.” “The grass his animals need is thinning by the day.” Word family
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/thinning