Main Entry: cher·no·zem

Pronunciation: \ˌcher-nə-ˈzyȯm, -ˈzem\

Function: noun

Etymology: Russian, from chërnyĭ black + zemlya earth

Date: 1841

: any of a group of dark-colored zonal soils with a deep rich humus horizon found in regions (as the grasslands of central North America) of temperate to cool climate

— cher·no·zem·ic \-ˈzyȯ-mik, -ˈze-\ adjective