de-mining
C1Formal, Technical, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
The process of removing or clearing landmines and other explosive ordnance from an area.
The technical, logistical, and humanitarian activity of detecting, removing, and destroying landmines to make land safe for civilian use. Can also refer metaphorically to the careful process of resolving a complex, dangerous, or sensitive situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a technical/humanitarian term. The hyphen is often retained to distinguish it from the potential misreading 'demining' (as in 'deeming'). In metaphorical use, it implies a cautious, step-by-step approach to a hidden danger.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. The term is used with equal specificity in both varieties. The activity is more commonly discussed in international news and NGO contexts than in everyday domestic conversation.
Connotations
Strongly associated with post-conflict zones, humanitarian aid, and international treaties like the Ottawa Treaty. Carries connotations of danger, meticulous work, and restoration of safety.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse but standard within reports on conflict, development, and humanitarian engineering.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: organization/country/team] is de-mining [Object: area/region].The [Noun: process/operation] of de-mining [Object] is underway.Funds were allocated for de-mining.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] It was like emotional de-mining, carefully navigating his past traumas.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts of security consulting or defence contracting.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, peace studies, and engineering journals focusing on humanitarian applications.
Everyday
Very rare. Would only appear in discussions of international news or documentaries about war zones.
Technical
Standard term in military, humanitarian, and engineering fields. Involves specific protocols (e.g., manual vs. mechanical de-mining).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The NGO has been de-mining the former battlefield for three years.
- Before the development could start, the land had to be de-mined.
American English
- The Army Corps of Engineers is de-mining the area near the old base.
- The contract was awarded to a firm specializing in de-mining hazardous sites.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb form.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- The de-mining process is painstakingly slow.
- They used a specialised de-mining vehicle.
American English
- De-mining efforts are funded by international donors.
- He attended a de-mining technology conference.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- De-mining is very dangerous work.
- After the war, they started de-mining the fields.
- Humanitarian de-mining aims to remove all mines so people can return home safely.
- The de-mining team uses metal detectors and trained dogs to locate explosives.
- The protracted de-mining operation in the region has cost millions but has drastically reduced civilian casualties.
- Metaphorically, the diplomat's role involved de-mining the tense negotiations, carefully addressing each potential point of conflict.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DE-tecting and reMOVING MINES' = DE-MINING. The hyphen acts like a tool separating the danger from the ground.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEARING A PATH / PURIFYING A SPACE. The land is metaphorically 'infected' or 'polluted' by hidden danger, and de-mining is the cleansing cure.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "разминирование" which is the direct equivalent. The hyphen in English is crucial for clarity.
- Avoid the false friend "демилитаризация" (demilitarization), which is a broader concept.
- The word is a gerund/noun, not an adjective. "De-mining operation" is correct, not "de-mined operation".
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as one word 'demining' (acceptable but less clear).
- Using it as a simple verb for defusing a single bomb (prefer 'defuse' or 'disarm').
- Confusing with 'data mining' due to similar spelling.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'de-mining' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'demining' is increasingly common, especially in technical and journalistic texts. However, 'de-mining' with a hyphen is often preferred for initial clarity to avoid misreading.
Yes. While its core meaning relates to landmines, it is broadly used within the field of Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) to include clearing other types of unexploded ordnance (UXO) like cluster munitions.
De-mining is a subset of EOD focused specifically on clearing mines and UXO from areas to restore safe access. EOD is a broader military/technical term for rendering safe any discovered explosive device, including improvised ones, often in an active context.
Yes, though it's advanced (C2). It can describe any delicate process of identifying and neutralizing hidden problems or sensitivities, e.g., 'de-mining a fraught political discussion' or 'de-mining a company's financial records.'