/ ˈfɒrɪst; NAmE ˈfɔːr-; ˈfɑːr-/ noun
1.
[ C , U ] a large area of land that is thickly covered with trees :
a tropical forest
a forest fire
Thousands of hectares of forest are destroyed each year.
—see also rainforest
2.
[ C ] forest (of sth) a mass of tall narrow objects that are close together :
a forest of television aerials
•
IDIOMS
- not see the forest for the trees
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense wooded area kept for hunting , also denoting any uncultivated land): via Old French from late Latin forestis (silva) , literally (wood) outside, from Latin foris outside, from fores door.