topsoil

noun

top·​soil ˈtäp-ˌsȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce topsoil (audio)
Synonyms of topsoilnext
: surface soil usually including the organic layer in which plants have most of their roots and which the farmer turns over in plowing

Examples of topsoil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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New analysis published today by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) reveals there are over 621 trillion miles of fungal pathways containing around 300 megatons of carbon within Earth’s topsoils. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 11 June 2026 Potting soil, compost, and topsoil each serve unique purposes—know when and where to use them. Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026 Ten thousand years ago, after the last Ice Age melted away, blades of Indiangrass, switchgrass, and big bluestem burst forth from the nutrient-dense topsoil left behind by receding glaciers. Matt Kirouac, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026 In 2023, a cadaver dog alerted to topsoil near where the patio had been built in the home’s backyard, but as authorities dug deeper, the dog stopped picking up the scent, law enforcement sources said. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for topsoil

Word History

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of topsoil was in 1733

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Cite this Entry

“Topsoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topsoil. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

topsoil

noun
top·​soil -ˌsȯil How to pronounce topsoil (audio)
: surface soil usually including the rich upper layer in which plants have most of their roots and which the farmer turns over in plowing

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