soil
1the portion of the earth's surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus.
a particular kind of earth: sandy soil.
the ground as producing vegetation or as cultivated for its crops: fertile soil.
a country, land, or region: an act committed on American soil.
the ground or earth: tilling the soil.
any place or condition providing the opportunity for growth or development: Some believe that poverty provides the soil for crime.
Origin of soil
1Other words from soil
- soilless, adjective
Other definitions for soil (2 of 3)
to make unclean, dirty, or filthy, especially on the surface: to soil one's clothes.
to smirch, smudge, or stain: The ink soiled his hands.
to sully or tarnish, as with disgrace; defile morally: to soil one's good name.
to become soiled: White soils easily.
Origin of soil
2Other words for soil
Other definitions for soil (3 of 3)
to feed (confined cattle, horses, etc.) freshly cut green fodder for roughage.
Origin of soil
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use soil in a sentence
Coping with drought and marginal soils was a continual struggle.
‘The Harness Maker’s Dream:’ The Unlikely Ranch King of Texas | Nick Kotz | September 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThese actions, operating through a long series of years, are the source of the inorganic constituents of all soils.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas AndersonIt is obvious that soils produced by the disintegration of these minerals must differ materially in quality.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas AndersonSuch sandstones yield soils of better quality, but they are always light and poor.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas AndersonThere is a great variety of soils found here, and most of them have a fair degree of plant fertility.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. Torpey
Great differences are observed in the quality of the soils yielded by different rocks.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry | Thomas Anderson
British Dictionary definitions for soil (1 of 3)
/ (sɔɪl) /
the top layer of the land surface of the earth that is composed of disintegrated rock particles, humus, water, and air: See zonal soil, azonal soil, intrazonal soil, horizon (def. 4), horizon (def. 5) Related adjective: telluric
a type of this material having specific characteristics: loamy soil
land, country, or region: one's native soil
the soil life and work on a farm; land: he belonged to the soil, as his forefathers had
any place or thing encouraging growth or development
Origin of soil
1British Dictionary definitions for soil (2 of 3)
/ (sɔɪl) /
to make or become dirty or stained
(tr) to pollute with sin or disgrace; sully; defile: he soiled the family honour by his cowardice
the state or result of soiling
refuse, manure, or excrement
Origin of soil
2British Dictionary definitions for soil (3 of 3)
/ (sɔɪl) /
(tr) to feed (livestock) freshly cut green fodder either to fatten or purge them
Origin of soil
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for soil
[ soil ]
The loose top layer of the Earth's surface, consisting of rock and mineral particles mixed with decayed organic matter (humus), and capable of retaining water, providing nutrients for plants, and supporting a wide range of biotic communities. Soil is formed by a combination of depositional, chemical, and biological processes and plays an important role in the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles. Soil types vary widely from one region to another, depending on the type of bedrock they overlie and the climate in which they form. In wet and humid regions, for example, soils tend to be thicker than they do in dry regions. See more at A horizon B horizon C horizon. See illustration at ABC soil.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for soil
Notes for soil
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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