Forest Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈfɔrɪst/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A large area of land dominated by trees and other woody vegetation, typically characterized by a canopy or a closed canopy, and typically having a distinct set of flora and fauna, often characterized by a unique ecosystem.

Etymology

From Old French forest, from Latin forestis, from foris, meaning “outside”, as these areas were outside the range of settled agriculture.

Usage Notes

Forest is an uncountable noun, and it is often used to describe a large area of land, while trees or woodland can be used to describe a smaller area.

Cultural References

In Tolkien’s Middle-earth, the forest of Mirkwood is a key location in the story of The Hobbit.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “to plant a forest” means to start a large-scale project or initiative
• “to lose oneself in the forest” means to become lost or disoriented

Related Words or Phrases

• Woodland
• Tree
• Bush
• Wilds

Frequency of Use

Forest is a commonly used term in everyday language, with a moderate to high frequency of use in written and spoken English.

Common Misspellings

• Forrest
• Forsight