Forest

Definition

Forest is a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth. As a verb, it means to plant an area with trees or to cover with forest.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈfɔːrɪst/ or /ˈfɑːrɪst/
• Respelling: FOR-ist or FAR-ist

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈfɒrɪst/
• Respelling: FOR-ist

Etymology

The word "forest" originates from the Latin "foresta," meaning "an open wood," which later passed into Old French as "forest." It entered Middle English in the 14th century, retaining its meaning of a wooded area, often associated with royal hunting grounds.

Derivatives

• Forested (adjective)
• Forestation (noun)
• Deforest (verb)
• Reforest (verb)
• Forester (noun)

Synonyms

• Woods
• Jungle
• Timberland

Antonyms

• Desert
• Plain
• None

Usage

The noun "forest" is used to describe large natural areas covered with trees, as in "The Amazon is the largest tropical forest in the world." The verb form describes planting trees, e.g., "The government plans to forest the barren land."

Related Terms

• Canopy: The uppermost layer of foliage in a forest.
• Deforestation: The clearing or thinning of forests.
• Woodland: A smaller area of trees compared to a forest.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth: Refers to extensive wooded regions.
  • Example: "They hiked through the dense forest for hours."
• A designated area for hunting in historical contexts: Refers to royal or protected hunting grounds.
  • Example: "The king declared the land a forest for royal use."

Verb

• To plant an area with trees: Refers to the act of creating a forested area.
  • Example: "They forested the cleared farmland to combat erosion."
• To cover with trees or forest: Describes transforming an area into a wooded region.
  • Example: "The region was naturally forested over time."