Thinning: meaning, definitions and examples

removal process

Thinning refers to the process of making something less dense or less thick, often by removing some of its parts. In various contexts, it can apply to materials like wood, hair, or even liquids. For example, tree thinning in forestry involves selectively removing certain trees to allow more light and space for the remaining trees to grow. In hair care, thinning may involve cutting hair in a way to reduce its volume or manageability. Thinning can also apply in cooking where a sauce may be thinned out with water or broth.

diminishing, lightening, paring down, reducing

Examples of usage

• The gardener is thinning the plants for better growth.

• She decided to thin her hair to make it more manageable.

• We are thinning the forest to promote healthier trees.

• He thinned the paint to achieve a smoother application.