topsoil

noun

top·​soil ˈtäp-ˌsȯi(-ə)l 

: 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

Take time to prepare the seeding area by removing all debris and spreading a 4- to 6-inch-thick layer of topsoil, if necessary. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2026

His advice is to add compost (a 1/4 to 1/2 inch layer) to the mix of topsoil and sand—this facilitates overseeding and provides critical nutrients to the underlying turf. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 13 Oct. 2026

The rutted areas are being regraded and releveled to prepare for new topsoil, and Riot Fest has secured up to five acres of sod. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

But when drought struck Oklahoma and surrounding states, as drought regularly did, the topsoil dried out and blew away. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for topsoil

• airfoil
• benzoyl
• despoil
• embroil
• etoile
• gargoyle
• recoil
• subsoil
• tinfoil
• trefoil
• turmoil
• aerofoil

Kids Definition

topsoil

noun

top·​soil -ˌsȯil 

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