regolith

noun

reg·​o·​lith ˈre-gə-ˌlith 

: unconsolidated residual or transported material that overlies the solid rock on the earth, moon, or a planet

Examples of regolith in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With the exception of the biological components found in Earth’s topsoil, the composition of the Moon’s regolith is identical to the composition of Earth’s crust. —Big Think, 6 Nov. 2025

While these three categories dominate discussions, other materials, such as rare earth elements, silicates for construction, and regolith for in-space manufacturing, could also play a supporting role in building sustainable off-Earth infrastructure. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025

Landing a Starship, 15 stories tall, upright on the moon’s rugged south pole will require firing rockets into that regolith, creating a small crater at the landing site. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025

Turning moon dust into homes Skyeports has developed a way to transform lunar dust, known as regolith, into durable glass that can be shaped into massive spheres. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek rhēgos blanket + English -lith; akin to Greek rhezein to dye — more at raga

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above