What does "clearing" mean?

Clearing: A tract of land cleared of wood for cultivation. A lonely clearing on the shores of Moxie Lake. J. Burroughs.

Additional senses

  1. 2.A method adopted by banks and bankers for making an exchange of checks held by each against the others, and settling differences of accounts. Note: In England, a similar method has been adopted by railroads for adjusting their accounts with each other.
  2. 3.The gross amount of the balances adjusted in the clearing house. Clearing house, the establishment where the business of clearing is carried on. See above, 3.

Sources