topsoil

noun

top·​soil ˈtäp-ˌsȯi(-ə)l 

: 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

If your lawn grass was already quite thin, topdressing with a thin layer of quality topsoil is recommended. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026

The weather phenomenon has been known to intensify the yearly Harmattan winds, which dry out topsoil and cause pods to fall. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Both experts recommend applying a mix of topsoil and compost to your lawn. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026

Research after previous wildfires found that up to 34% of properties still contained hazardous contamination, such as heavy metals, even after the debris had been removed and the topsoil scraped away. — Andrew J. Whelton, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for topsoil

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

Kids Definition

topsoil

noun

top·​soil -ˌsȯil 

: surface soil usually including the rich upper layer in which plants have most of their roots and which the farmer turns over in plowing