loam

noun

ˈlōm How to pronounce loam (audio)
 chiefly Northern & Midland  ˈlüm,
 New England also  ˈlu̇m
1
a
: a mixture (as for plastering) composed chiefly of moistened clay
b
: a coarse molding sand used in founding (see found entry 5)
2
: soil
specifically : a soil consisting of a friable mixture of varying proportions of clay, silt, and sand
loamy
ˈlō-mē How to pronounce loam (audio)
ˈlü-
ˈlu̇-
adjective

Examples of loam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The region's soils consist of limestone, clay, and iron-rich loams. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025 Areas affected by wildfires or those with sandy soil are more prone to hydrophobia than loam or clay. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025 Many of us can’t wait to get into our gardens, turn over that fine Illinois loam and plant. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025 Those interactions spring from the rich loam of history and lore that gives the sport its halcyon glow, and from which even a humble amateur game absorbs vicarious grandeur. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loam

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lom, from Old English lām clay, mud; akin to Old English līm lime

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of loam was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loam. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

loam

noun
: soil entry 3 sense 2
especially : a soil consisting of a loose easily crumbled mixture of varying amounts of clay, silt, and sand
loamy adjective

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