Defoliate

/diːˈfəʊlieɪt/
verb

To remove the leaves from a tree or plant.

Farmers defoliate the plants to prepare them for harvest.
Visual representation of "defoliate" - To remove the leaves from a tree or plant.

Often appears as...

  • defoliate the trees
  • defoliate the plants
verb

To lose the leaves.

In autumn, the trees defoliate.
Visual representation of "defoliate" - To lose the leaves.

Often appears as...

  • trees defoliate
  • plants defoliate
verb

To cause a tree or plant to lose its leaves by applying a chemical.

The farmer used a specialized chemical to defoliate his crops before harvest.
Visual representation of "defoliate" - To cause a tree or plant to lose its leaves by applying a chemical.

Often appears as...

  • defoliate with chemicals
  • defoliate before harvest

Usage tips

Technical

verb

To remove or take off (leaves) from a tree or other plant.

Defoliation can severely damage the health of a tree if not done properly.
Visual representation of "defoliate" - To remove or take off (leaves) from a tree or other plant.

Often appears as...

  • defoliation of trees
  • defoliation process
verb

To remove the leaves from a tree or plant.

Farmers defoliate the plants to prepare them for harvest.
Visual representation of "defoliate" - To remove the leaves from a tree or plant.

Often appears as...

  • defoliate the trees
  • defoliate the plants
verb

To lose the leaves.

In autumn, the trees defoliate.
Visual representation of "defoliate" - To lose the leaves.

Often appears as...

  • trees defoliate
  • plants defoliate
verb

To cause a tree or plant to lose its leaves by applying a chemical.

The farmer used a specialized chemical to defoliate his crops before harvest.
Visual representation of "defoliate" - To cause a tree or plant to lose its leaves by applying a chemical.

Often appears as...

  • defoliate with chemicals
  • defoliate before harvest

Usage tips

Technical

verb

To remove or take off (leaves) from a tree or other plant.

Defoliation can severely damage the health of a tree if not done properly.
Visual representation of "defoliate" - To remove or take off (leaves) from a tree or other plant.

Often appears as...

  • defoliation of trees
  • defoliation process
Definition 1 of 4
Visual representation of "defoliate"
LampPro Tip 1/2

Agricultural Context

Used to describe a deliberate action by farmers to prepare crops.

Illustration for Agricultural Context
To increase sunlight exposure, farmers defoliate the lower leaves.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Intentional Act

Implies human activity, not a natural process.

Illustration for Intentional Act
Gardeners sometimes defoliate plants to control their shape.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Agricultural Context

Used to describe a deliberate action by farmers to prepare crops.

Illustration for Agricultural Context
To increase sunlight exposure, farmers defoliate the lower leaves.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Intentional Act

Implies human activity, not a natural process.

Illustration for Intentional Act
Gardeners sometimes defoliate plants to control their shape.
LampPro Tip 1/2

Agricultural Context

Used to describe a deliberate action by farmers to prepare crops.

Illustration for Agricultural Context
To increase sunlight exposure, farmers defoliate the lower leaves.
LampPro Tip 2/2

Intentional Act

Implies human activity, not a natural process.

Illustration for Intentional Act
Gardeners sometimes defoliate plants to control their shape.
Visual representation of the word "Defoliate"

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