soiled; soiling; soils
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
: to become soiled or dirty
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
4
: the agricultural life or calling
5
: a medium in which something takes hold and develops
soiled; soiling; soils
: to feed (livestock) in the barn or an enclosure with fresh grass or green food
also
: to purge (livestock) by feeding on green food
Synonyms
Examples of soil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kelsey Kunik, Parents, 10 Apr. 2024
In addition to the cutting boards, the deli slicer was soiled.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
There was also soiled equipment sitting by the dishwashing area.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2024
The myriad corruption investigations around the Tokyo Olympics are the latest to soil recent Games.
—Yuri Kageyama and Stephen Wade, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024
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
Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 3 May 2024
The vineyard was planted just about three decades ago and has a high amount of clay soils, which aid in storing water for the vines when rain is scarce.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 2 May 2024
China is set to launch the first-ever mission, known as Chang'e 6, on Friday to collect rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 May 2024
Geological activity formed outcroppings of ancient oceanic crust called serpentine soils, which lend the region its uniqueness.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 2 May 2024
Use well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes to avoid wet soil conditions.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 1 May 2024
But zoning officials always wants one more thing: Architectural drawings, soil samples, and inspections.
—Daryl James, Orange County Register, 1 May 2024
Bits of organic Earth soil and other nutrients was also added to the sand and Martian regolith samples to improve water retention and root holding.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2024
Monitor the plant for the first month or two, testing for dry soil between waterings to establish a watering schedule.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2024
Verb
But Take Note The skirt isn’t waterproof, so if your baby moves around a lot through the night, there’s still a chance of soiling the sides of the mattress.
—Kelsey Kunik, Parents, 10 Apr. 2024
In addition to the cutting boards, the deli slicer was soiled.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
There was also soiled equipment sitting by the dishwashing area.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2024
The myriad corruption investigations around the Tokyo Olympics are the latest to soil recent Games.
—Yuri Kageyama and Stephen Wade, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024
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
Noun
She was raised in the racist waters and grew up in the same soil and was fed the same food of the Jim Crow South.
—Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 3 May 2024
The vineyard was planted just about three decades ago and has a high amount of clay soils, which aid in storing water for the vines when rain is scarce.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 2 May 2024
China is set to launch the first-ever mission, known as Chang'e 6, on Friday to collect rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 2 May 2024
Geological activity formed outcroppings of ancient oceanic crust called serpentine soils, which lend the region its uniqueness.
—Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 2 May 2024
Use well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes to avoid wet soil conditions.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 1 May 2024
But zoning officials always wants one more thing: Architectural drawings, soil samples, and inspections.
—Daryl James, Orange County Register, 1 May 2024
Bits of organic Earth soil and other nutrients was also added to the sand and Martian regolith samples to improve water retention and root holding.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2024
Monitor the plant for the first month or two, testing for dry soil between waterings to establish a watering schedule.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 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.
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Cite this Entry
“Soil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soil. Accessed 7 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soil
1 of 3 verb
: to make or become dirty
soil
2 of 3 noun1
b
: moral soilage : corruption
2
: something that soils or pollutes
soil
3 of 3 noun1
: firm land : earth
2
: the loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow
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"
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