1. to remove leaves from a plant or tree, or to cause leaves to fall off

Examples

• The caterpillars completely defoliated the oak tree.
• Acid rain can defoliate entire forests.
• The farmer used chemicals to defoliate the cotton plants before harvest.
• Strong winds defoliated most of the trees in the orchard.
• The disease began to defoliate the rose bushes in early summer.
• Military forces used Agent Orange to defoliate jungle areas during the war.