soil

1 of 4

verb (1)

soiled; soiling; soils

transitive verb

1
: to stain or defile morally : corrupt
2
: to make unclean especially superficially : dirty
3
: to blacken or taint (something, such as a person's reputation) by word or deed

intransitive verb

: to become soiled or dirty

soil

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: soilage, stain
protect a dress from soil
b
: moral defilement : corruption
2
: something that spoils or pollutes: such as
a
: refuse
b
: sewage

soil

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
: firm land : earth
2
a
: the upper layer of earth that may be dug or plowed and in which plants grow
b
: the superficial unconsolidated and usually weathered part of the mantle of a planet and especially of the earth
3
: country, land
our native soil
4
: the agricultural life or calling
5
: a medium in which something takes hold and develops

soil

4 of 4

verb (2)

soiled; soiling; soils

transitive verb

: to feed (livestock) in the barn or an enclosure with fresh grass or green food
also : to purge (livestock) by feeding on green food

Examples of soil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
California also has begun the mandatory recycling of waste, such as kitchen scraps, coffee grounds and soiled paper by including it with the door-to-door collection of yard waste. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024 The violations included dry ingredients and bulk candy being stored in unlabeled containers and ceiling fan grates located in the main meat prep room being soiled with dust build-up. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2024 The carpets were horribly stained, the walls soiled with sickly black mold. Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 Everything from banana peels and used coffee grounds to yard waste and soiled paper products like pizza boxes counts as organic waste. Amy Taxin, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2024 Then Helen is caught unprepared when her period comes early, soiling her lame pants and totally embarrassing her. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2024 The non-food contact surfaces that were soiled similarly were sides of all cooking equipment; the hood area above the cooking area; and the reach-in chest freezer gasket. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2024 The washing machine features 16 convenient wash cycles, including heavy-duty, perm press, delicates, eco options, and super soiled, and they can all be set via the touchpad on the machine. Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2024 The nest material will be soiled and mites could be present. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Noun
At the same time, by preventing the chill of winter from reaching the ground, the snow blanket helps thaw permafrost, or frozen soil packed with ancient plant material and ice. Matt Simon, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024 This maintains that each cultivation not only affords as many ripe coffee cherries as possible, but also allows the nutrient-rich volcanic soil to retain its integrity for harvests to come. Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Next, sprinkle fertilizer over all the bare soil, to the edges of the canopy. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 During World War II, Nazi atrocities happened on its soil. Claire Moses, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Potting up + Pruning Nora Schäfer At Plants & Spaces, interior installs come with individualized soil plans and ongoing care services. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 To aid in its investigation, 3M has installed seven monitoring wells on its property, and collected samples of both the groundwater and soil. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 Fill the shells with soil and a small plant or cutting, then nestle it in an egg cup filled with paper Easter grass. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024 Don't use potting soil or other lightweight soils, which can float to the surface. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'soil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French soiller, suiller, from Old French soil wallow of a wild boar, abyss, from Latin solium chair, bathtub; akin to Latin sedēre to sit — more at sit

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, soil, piece of land, from Vulgar Latin *solium, alteration of Latin solea sole, sandal, foundation timber — more at sole

Verb (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of soil was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near soil

Cite this Entry

“Soil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soil. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

soil

1 of 3 verb
: to make or become dirty

soil

2 of 3 noun
1
a
b
: moral soilage : corruption
2
: something that soils or pollutes

soil

3 of 3 noun
1
: firm land : earth
2
: the loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow
3
4
: an environment in which something may take root and grow
slums are fertile soil for crime
Etymology

Verb

Middle English soilen "to corrupt, make dirty," from early French soiller "to wallow," from soil "pigsty"

Noun

Middle English soil "earth," from early French soil (same meaning), derived from Latin solea "sole, sandal, foundation timber"

More from Merriam-Webster on soil

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