subsoil

1 of 3

noun (1)

sub·​soil ˈsəb-ˌsȯi(-ə)l 

: the stratum of weathered material that underlies the surface soil

subsoil

2 of 3

verb

subsoiled; subsoiling; subsoils

transitive verb

: to turn, break, or stir the subsoil of

subsoiler noun

subsoiler

3 of 3

noun (2)

sub·​soil·​er

-ə(r)

plural -s

: one that subsoils land: such as

a(1)

: subsoil plow

(2)

: an attachment to a lister that prepares a seedbed in the bottom of the furrow

(3)

: an attachment to a plow frame for breaking up the plow sole

b

: the operator of a subsoiler

Examples of subsoil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Edgewater’s coastal subsoil is similar to that of the barrier island. —Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026

Its manganese-rich granite subsoils, combined with traditionally longer fermentations and macerations, produce wines with genuine cellar potential. —Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 26 Feb. 2026

Gro-Low sumac struggles like most other plants if the planting bed consists of rock-hard subsoil. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026

Venezuela legally retained subsoil ownership but granted or sold broad concessions to foreign operators, such as Royal Dutch-Shell. —Skip York, The Conversation, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1775, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subsoil

• airfoil
• benzoyl
• despoil
• embroil
• etoile
• gargoyle
• recoil
• tinfoil
• topsoil
• trefoil
• turmoil
• aerofoil

Kids Definition

subsoil

noun

sub·​soil

ˈsəb-ˌsȯil

: a layer of weathered material that lies just under the surface soil