loess

noun

ˈles 

ˈləs,

ˈlō-əs,

ˈlərs 

: an unstratified usually buff to yellowish brown loamy deposit found in North America, Europe, and Asia and believed to be chiefly deposited by the wind

loessial

ˈle-sē-əl 

ˈlə-

lō-ˈe-

ˈlər- 

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

When blown by the wind, these sediments are referred to as loess. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 2 Sep. 2021

Soils here are particularly complex, featuring chalk, sand, gravel, clay, loess, quartzite and slate. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021

The soils types include shell-limestone, keuper, marl, loess and clay. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021

Soils here are very heterogenous with thick loess soils in the eastern portion and sandstone in the western region abutting the Haardt Mountains. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021

When the tunnel was first dug, the ice held the loess in place. —Madeline Ostrander, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2020

When the tunnel was first dug, the ice held the loess in place. —Madeline Ostrander, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2020

When the tunnel was first dug, the ice held the loess in place. —Madeline Ostrander, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2020

When the tunnel was first dug, the ice held the loess in place. —Madeline Ostrander, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2020

See More

Word History

Etymology

German Löss

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

loess

noun

ˈles  ˈlə(r)s 

ˈlō-əs

: a fine usually yellowish brown soil found in North America, Europe, and Asia and believed to be chiefly deposited by the wind