déforestation
/de.fɔ.ʁɛs.ta.sjɔ̃/feminine
The English word deforestation is translated into French as déforestation. If unsure, use déforestation. Wiktionary also lists déboisement.
Meaning: process of destroying a forest (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| déforestation | /de.fɔ.ʁɛs.ta.sjɔ̃/ | feminine |
| déboisement | /de.bwaz.mɑ̃/ | masculine |
The term describes the process of destroying a forest.
What does it mean word for word?
The word déforestation is formed from the prefix dé- (meaning undoing or removal), the root forêt (meaning forest) and the suffix -ation (signifying the process of).
Which one should you use?
While déforestation is typically used in a scientific, environmental or global context, déboisement often refers more specifically to the act of clearing trees from a specific area of land.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /de.fɔ.ʁɛs.ta.sjɔ̃/. It has 5 syllables.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'deforest' is common, French speakers frequently use the phrase raser la forêt meaning 'to shave the forest' to describe rapid deforestation.
- In legal and agricultural contexts, déboisement often carries a connotation of human planning or urban development, whereas déforestation is linked to ecological catastrophe.
- In French, the word bois in déboisement can mean 'wood' as a material, 'woods' as a small forest or 'bow' as in archery.
Examples in context
- Leur habitat est menacé par la déforestation.Their habitat is threatened by deforestation.This sentence uses déforestation to show how a habitat is threatened.Tatoeba #2329459 by sacredceltic, translation #2327359 by Hybrid
- La production d'huile de palme est la principale cause de déforestation en Indonésie.Palm oil production is the leading cause of deforestation in Indonesia.This sentence uses déforestation to identify a leading cause in Indonesia.Tatoeba #12773517 by lbdx, translation #5360659 by Hybrid
- Plus de 100.000 orang-outans de Bornéo ont disparu entre 1999 et 2015, victimes de la déforestation.More than 100,000 orangutans in Borneo died between 1999 and 2015 due to deforestation.This sentence uses déforestation to describe the impact on orangutans in Borneo.Tatoeba #10356194 by Adelpa, translation #7364313 by Hybrid
- La déforestation de l'Amazonie est un problème environnemental urgent.The deforestation of the Amazon is an urgent environmental problem.
- Le déboisement massif menace l'équilibre écologique de notre planète.Massive deforestation threatens the ecological balance of our planet.
- Tu as vu la déforestation dans cette région? C'est vraiment triste.Have you seen the deforestation in this region? It's really sad.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are watching a documentary about the Amazon.
- ChloéLa déforestation est un vrai problème ici.Deforestation is a real problem here.
- GabrielOui, l'Amazonie en souffre beaucoup.Yes, the Amazon is suffering a lot from it.
- ChloéIl faut protéger ces forêts précieuses.We must protect these precious forests.
- GabrielC'est tout à fait vrai, Chloé.That is absolutely true, Chloé.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deforestation” translations and entries déforestation, déboisement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
