topsoil

noun

top·soil | \ ˈtäp-ˌsȯi(-ə)l

Definition of topsoil

: surface soil usually including the organic layer in which plants have most of their roots and which the farmer turns over in plowing

Examples of topsoil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Heavy machinery will scrape off the first few feet of topsoil to begin the process. — Eliott C. Mclaughlin, CNN, 31 May 2021 Finally, when the weight of the topsoil is too much for the weakened subsurface soil to bear, the surface collapses. — Dylan Taylor-lehman, Popular Mechanics, 13 May 2021 Aggressive plowing and monoculture planting led to unprecedented topsoil loss during the Dust Bowl. — Becca Dzombak, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2021 Tip: Use a brush to evenly distribute topsoil and sand over the succulents. — Sara Rodrigues, House Beautiful, 17 Apr. 2021 In contrast to corn, which has shallow roots, deep grain or pasture crops pull nutrients from deep in the ground to replenish topsoil. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2021 An extensive decontamination process removed topsoil from areas around the plant. — James Whitlow Delano, WSJ, 11 Mar. 2021 Garden soil is intended to be mixed with existing in-ground topsoil to help improve its texture and nutrient composition. — Kelly Reilly, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2021 For filling your bed, Wied suggests using a third topsoil, a third compost, and a third drainage material such as pearlite or vermiculite. — Joanne Kempinger Demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'topsoil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.