defoliate
verb
de·fo·li·ate
| \ (ˌ)dē-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt
\
\
defoliated;
defoliating;
defoliates
Definition of defoliate
: to deprive of leaves especially prematurely
Black spot, which looks like its name, attacks leaves. Left untreated, it spreads and multiplies, and can defoliate the plant.— Dave Dunn During 1979, approximately 226.260 acres of land/forest was estimated to have been defoliated to varying degrees by the Gypsy moth … in Massachusetts.— David B. Halliwell
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from defoliate
defoliation
\ (ˌ)dē-ˌfō-lē-ˈā-shən
\
noun
\
noun
defoliator
\ (ˌ)dē-ˈfō-lē-ˌā-tər
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of defoliate in a Sentence
a chemical used to defoliate trees
Insects are defoliating the trees.
Recent Examples on the Web
If a benjamina defoliates somewhat, you aren’t left with this big bald spot on your tree. — Los Angeles Times, "How the weeping fig became the ‘It’ plant of the gardening world (again)," 15 Aug. 2019 These beetles defoliate plants, reducing yields or killing young plants. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The 10 Most Destructive Garden Insects and How to Get Rid of Them," 10 July 2018 These beetles defoliate plants, reducing yields or killing young plants. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The 10 Most Destructive Garden Insects and How to Get Rid of Them," 10 July 2018 These beetles defoliate plants, reducing yields or killing young plants. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The 10 Most Destructive Garden Insects and How to Get Rid of Them," 10 July 2018 These beetles defoliate plants, reducing yields or killing young plants. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The 10 Most Destructive Garden Insects and How to Get Rid of Them," 10 July 2018 Such hardy species have been bred for generations to be less likely to defoliate when introduced to slight shifts in temperature or humidity, and to do well in home environments. — Heidi Mitchell, WSJ, "Which Houseplants Grow Best in Low Light?," 10 Nov. 2018 These beetles defoliate plants, reducing yields or killing young plants. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The 10 Most Destructive Garden Insects and How to Get Rid of Them," 10 July 2018 Adults skeletonize leaves, chew flowers, and may completely defoliate plants while larvae feed on lawn and garden plant roots. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The 10 Most Destructive Garden Insects and How to Get Rid of Them," 10 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'defoliate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for defoliate
defoliate
verb
English Language Learners Definition of defoliate
technical
: to cause the leaves of (a plant) to fall off
See the full definition for defoliate in the English Language Learners Dictionary