sub·sur·face
ˈsəb-ˌsər-fəs 
: earth material (such as rock) near but not exposed at the surface of the ground
sub·sur·face
ˌsəb-ˈsər-fəs
: of, relating to, or being something located beneath a surface and especially underground
Examples of subsurface in a Sentence
Adjective
a sandy wasteland that gave little hint of its subsurface wealth
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
The restroom near the lifeguard headquarters will also get an upgrade, with the building being eyed as the location for subsurface slant wells.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 8 Dec. 2022
After analyzing that data, researchers had a subsurface picture of the rocks, clay and thermal liquid below Yellowstone.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for subsurface
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Noun
The moons likely host subsurface oceans beneath their icy crusts that could support life.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Dec. 2025
The restroom near the lifeguard headquarters will also get an upgrade, with the building being eyed as the location for subsurface slant wells.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
An entire ocean’s worth is unlikely, but a significant amount of subsurface water isn’t.
—John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 8 Dec. 2022
After analyzing that data, researchers had a subsurface picture of the rocks, clay and thermal liquid below Yellowstone.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for subsurface
Cite this Entry
“Subsurface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsurface. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.
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