Definition

A piece of land that has been cleared of plants and trees for farming, usually by cutting and burning the vegetation.

Example

Farmers often use a swidden to grow crops for a few years before moving to a new area.

Conversation

I read about a farming method called swidden agriculture.

Oh really? What’s that about?

It's when you clear an area by cutting and burning plants for temporary farming.

That sounds interesting! I wonder if it's sustainable.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Swidden originates from the Old English word 'swidden', meaning a piece of land cleared for cultivation. It refers specifically to land that has been burned to prepare for planting crops.

Memory Tip

Think of a piece of land that has been 'cleared' for farming — that's what swidden means.

Visually Confused Words