substratum

noun

sub·​stra·​tum ˈsəb-ˌstrā-təm 

-ˌstra-;

ˌsəb-ˈstrā-,

-ˈstra-

plural substrata ˈsəb-ˌstrā-tə 

-ˌstra-;

ˌsəb-ˈstrā-,

-ˈstra-

: an underlying support : foundation: such as

a

: substance that is a permanent subject of qualities or phenomena

b

: the material of which something is made and from which it derives its special qualities

c

: a layer beneath the surface soil

specifically : subsoil

d

: substrate sense 2

e

linguistics : a component of a language (such as a part of its phonology, syntax, or lexicon) that remains from absorption of a pre-existing language in the region where the language is currently spoken

substratal

ˈsəb-ˌstrā-tᵊl 

-ˌstra-;

ˌsəb-ˈstrā-

-ˈstra-

adjective

Examples of substratum in a Sentence

drilled into the bedrock substratum

Recent Examples on the Web

This has led to the fairly obvious conclusion that this substratum of Disney’s movie-making is nothing more than brand promotion and capital gain. —Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 20 May 2025

This was a copy of Mikhail’s unpublished autobiography, Leila explained, the substratum to his monumental Histoire de Baalbek’s six editions. —Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

If the substratum of the local and the vernacular is being erased in a metaphorical but also very literal sense by a voracious and extractive economic order, then the global subaltern’s rage must be given a voice and a place. —Manuel Borja-Villel, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2024

In this model the modern Turks and Kurds would also be reflective of this ancient substratum, being more insulated from Sub-Saharan admixture as well as the population movements of Arabian tribes from the peninsula in the first century or so of Islam. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 9 Aug. 2012

Precisely, the Uygurs are descended from Northeast Asian Turks, who assimilated an Indo-European speaking substratum. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2012

This may be a case where the original cultural substratum has an outsized impact (the dialect of eastern New England, made famous by the Catholic Irish of Boston, is descended from East Anglian English!). —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2011

Southeast Asians are derived from several pulses of farmers from the fringes of what became southern China, but absorbing an ancient earlier substratum. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2012

The suffix -core comes from hard core, which at first (1841) referred to broken bricks or stones that formed the hard substratum of roads and foundations. —Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Feb. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin, neuter of substratus, past participle of substernere to spread under, from sub- + sternere to spread — more at strew

First Known Use

1631, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for substratum

• erratum
• striatum
• atom
• datum
• stratum
• heteroatom
• petrolatum

Kids Definition

substratum

noun

sub·​stra·​tum ˈsəb-ˌstrāt-əm 

-ˌstrat-

: an underlying support or layer: as

a

: the material of which something is made

b

: a layer beneath the surface layer of soil : subsoil

c

: substrate sense b

Medical Definition

substratum

noun

sub·​stra·​tum ˈsəb-ˌstrāt-əm, -ˌstrat-, ˈsəb-ˈ 

plural substrata -ə 

1

: the material of which something is made and from which it derives its special qualities

2

: substrate sense 2