topsoil

noun

top·​soil ˈtäp-ˌsȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce topsoil (audio)
: 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
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These practices consume fossil fuel, water, and topsoil at unsustainable rates and contribute to numerous forms of environmental degradation and soil depletion, diminishing biodiversity. Judith Magyar, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Some residents are allowed to visit their homes but can’t move back there while thousands of workers remove topsoil, branches, and other materials to decontaminate these areas. Amanda Kennell, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2024 The stump grinding can be piled up in the back corner of the yard to decompose over a couple of years leaving you with topsoil to reuse in your garden. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Oct. 2024 Look, our number one export cannot be topsoil from erosion from these massive storms. Stefan Becket, CBS News, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for topsoil 

Word History

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of topsoil was in 1733

Dictionary Entries Near topsoil

Cite this Entry

“Topsoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topsoil. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

topsoil

noun
top·​soil -ˌsȯil How to pronounce topsoil (audio)
: surface soil usually including the rich upper layer in which plants have most of their roots and which the farmer turns over in plowing

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