defoliate
verb
de·fo·li·ate (ˌ)dē-ˈfō-lē-ˌāt 
defoliated; defoliating; defoliates
transitive verb
: 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
Dave DunnJust two years after winds from Hurricane Iniki defoliated much of the island, towering eucalyptus and pine trees in this mountainside park are lush with new green leaves. Jeff Phillips
Jeff Phillips defoliation
(ˌ)dē-ˌfō-lē-ˈā-shən
noun defoliator
(ˌ)dē-ˈfō-lē-ˌā-tər
noun 
Example Sentences
a chemical used to defoliate trees Insects are defoliating the trees.
Recent Examples on the Web These pests can nearly defoliate a tree late in the summer, but the tree will recover fully next year. oregonlive, 3 Sep. 2022 Most recently, Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other chemical herbicides that were used to defoliate dense jungles in Vietnam have fought for Veterans Administration benefits and health care since 1977. Jason A. Higgins, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2022 The snails can defoliate large trees, consume grain crops and infect grain with a fungal pathogen. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 21 July 2022 The viburnum leaf beetle is a heavy feeder that can completely defoliate viburnums. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2022 The Palm Beach Agent Orange Association conducted a symbolic balloon release to dramatize the impact of soldiers’ exposure to the deadly chemical used by the U.S. military to defoliate areas of Vietnam. David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2022 The sucking causes stippling of the leaf and can defoliate the plant. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2022 Select disease-resistant varieties and examine plants carefully for insects, such as hornworms, that can defoliate a plant. Pam Peirce, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Sep. 2021 The plant in his hands was a Palmer amaranth descendant that had demonstrated resistance to 2,4-D, one of two active ingredients in compounds used to defoliate forests during the Vietnam War. New York Times, 11 Aug. 2021 See More
oregonlive, 3 Sep. 2022 Most recently, Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other chemical herbicides that were used to defoliate dense jungles in Vietnam have fought for Veterans Administration benefits and health care since 1977. Jason A. Higgins, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2022 The snails can defoliate large trees, consume grain crops and infect grain with a fungal pathogen. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 21 July 2022 The viburnum leaf beetle is a heavy feeder that can completely defoliate viburnums. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2022 The Palm Beach Agent Orange Association conducted a symbolic balloon release to dramatize the impact of soldiers’ exposure to the deadly chemical used by the U.S. military to defoliate areas of Vietnam. David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2022 The sucking causes stippling of the leaf and can defoliate the plant. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2022 Select disease-resistant varieties and examine plants carefully for insects, such as hornworms, that can defoliate a plant. Pam Peirce, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Sep. 2021 The plant in his hands was a Palmer amaranth descendant that had demonstrated resistance to 2,4-D, one of two active ingredients in compounds used to defoliate forests during the Vietnam War. New York Times, 11 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Late Latin defoliatus, past participle of defoliare, from Latin de- + folium leaf — more at blade
First Known Use
1793, in the meaning defined above
defoliate
verb
as in to bark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- bark
- skin
- denude
- shell
- husk
- hull
- strip
- bare
- scale
- shuck
- expose
- flay
- deforest
- pare
- clear