From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishforestfor‧est /ˈfɒrɪst $ ˈfɔː-, ˈfɑː-/ ●●● S2 W2 noun [countable, uncountable] DNa large area of land that is covered with trees → woodthick/dense forest Much of Scandinavia is covered in dense forest. a tropical forest the danger of forest fires → rain forest, → not see the forest for the trees at see1(40)COLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + foresta thick/dense forest (=with trees that are growing close together)The country we passed through was once thick forest.a pine/beech/birch etc forestA narrow path led through the pine forest.a tropical forest (=in tropical areas of the world)South East Asia’s topical rain forestsa deciduous forest (=with trees that lose their leaves in winter)a deciduous forest of red oak treesa coniferous forest (=with pine or fir trees)We entered a dark coniferous forest. virgin forest (=forest that has not been used or changed by people)Here virgin forest remains that is at least a thousand years old.a primeval forest (=forest which has existed since ancient times)One of Europe’s last areas of primeval forest is threatened with destruction.verbsplant a forestLarge areas of forest have been planted.clear a forest (=cut down and remove the trees)Huge areas of forest have been cleared since 1960.cut down a forestThe forest was cut down to make way for housing.be covered in forestThe mountain slopes were covered in forest.forest + NOUNa forest fireForest fires have broken out across the region.the forest floor (=the ground in a forest)The forest floor was carpeted with leaves.the forest canopy (=the area at the top of the trees)He could see the sky through the gaps in the forest canopy.forest management (=controlling the way a forest grows and is used)The main aim of forest management is timber production. THESAURUSforest a very large area of land with a lot of trees growing closely togetherIn 1500, most of the country was forest.the Black Forest in Germanywoods (also wood British English) an area of land covered with a lot of trees, that is smaller than a forestBehind the house were the woods that we used to play in.Follow the path through a small wood.woodland an area of land that is covered with trees – used especially for describing the type of land in an areaThe site covers 74 acres of beautiful ancient woodland.rainforest a thick forest with tall trees, in tropical parts of the world that have a lot of rainTropical rainforests are home to over half of the planet’s plant and animal species.the Indonesian rainforestjungle an area of tropical forest where trees and large plants grow very closely togetherthe jungles of BorneoThe palace was hidden for centuries in Guatemala’s dense jungle.grove a small group of trees, or an area of land planted with a particular type of fruit treeThe temple was built in the centre of a small grove of trees.the olive groves of southern Spaincopse /kɒps $ kɑːps/ a small area of trees or bushes growing closely togetherAt the top of the field was a copse full of rabbits.plantation a large area of trees planted for their wood, fruit etca rubber plantation thicket /ˈθɪkət/ a small group of bushes, plants, or small trees growing closely togetherTall bamboo thickets fringed the narrow river.
Examples from the Corpus
forest• Its members live in a forest, and every year they take more of it to grow crops.• a forest fire• The study claims that red squirrels have survived alongside grey squirrels for decades in forests in Norfolk and Staffordshire.• The Coconino and Kaibab forests imposed closures this year before any other forests in this state.• Much of Scandinavia is covered in dense pine forest.• Bodies crushed and absorbed, Tallis-Holly herself became trapped in the quivering, silent forest that filled the stone place.• Arkansas saw nine million acres of marsh and swamp forest converted to farms.• First-hog-of-summer and others ran to the palisade and peered at the forest edge.• They were searching the forest for you.forest fires• Since then some 4 million hectares have been cut down and millions more have been destroyed by accidental forest fires.• The occurrence of scrub and forest fires provides another mechanism whereby rocks can be subjected to significant thermal expansion and contraction.• Volcanoes, cigarettes, forest fires, stubble burning, leaded petrol, combustion plants and incinerators are all contributors.• The result was a number of extensive forest fires and the immediate evacuation of three nearby villages.• But after the war, public fears of forest fires were not allowed to subside.• Lightning will increase the possibility of forest fires.• To avoid the risk of forest fires.Origin forest (1200-1300) Old French Latin foris “outside” (because it was outside the main fenced area of woods) 