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Definition of chena

chena

/ˈtʃeɪnə/
che · na
Plural:chenas
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chena Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A system of shifting cultivation or slash-and-burn agriculture traditionally practiced in Sri Lanka.

Example

"The government has attempted to restrict chena cultivation due to its long-term impact on forest ecosystems and soil fertility."

2

A tract or parcel of land that has been cleared from the jungle, typically by cutting and burning, for temporary agricultural use.

Example

"After harvesting the seasonal crops, the farmers abandoned the chena to allow the natural vegetation to regenerate over the next several years."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for chena

• Rhymes for chena

• Nearby Words

chemoreflex
chempedak
chemsex
chena
chena river
chenab
chenet

Word Origin & Etymology

From Sinhalese 'hēna' or 'cēna', referring to a patch of land cleared for slash-and-burn agriculture.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Chena. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 19, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/chena
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