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loam

noun

Definition of loamnext
as in topsoil
a type of soil that is good for growing plants

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loam Is the soil a porous, well-draining loam, or a rocky clay that will be hard to dig in and harder to drain? — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026 Asparagus prefers soil with plenty of organic matter, and that's well-drained, with an almost sandy-loam consistency. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 2026 The soils, shaped by glacial activity, consist of sandy loam and glacial till, offering excellent drainage and contributing natural minerality. — Michael Johnson, Twin Cities, 23 Feb. 2026 But the conflict between Joe and Ted goes back further and is rooted in a deep loam of backstory that emerges bit by bit. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loam
  1. topsoil
  2. humus
  3. clay
  4. mud
  5. gravel
  6. sand
  7. earth
Noun
  • If your lawn grass was already quite thin, topdressing with a thin layer of quality topsoil is recommended.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The weather phenomenon has been known to intensify the yearly Harmattan winds, which dry out topsoil and cause pods to fall.
    — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of topsoil
Noun
  • This includes decaying plant and animal residues, humus, and living microorganisms.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
  • Composting in the garden is just a way of speeding up the natural process that creates soil all over the world, as organisms such as bacteria, fungi, insects and earthworms consume dead plants to make humus.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2026
Definition of humus
Noun
  • They’re typically hand-shaped from clay, which is very porous.
    — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026
  • When to Raise pH in Soil Sandy gardens and areas with lots of granite are more likely to have acidic soil than clay-heavy gardens with an abundance of shale or limestone.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of clay
Noun
  • This comes after a partial glacier collapse in the Himalayan mountains unleashed a sudden surge of water, mud, and debris that swept through border crossings, valley communities, and hydropower projects on August 26.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The spectacle of a powerful, disruptive woman changed into the spectacle of a woman running, crying and screaming, and the woman isn’t self-possessed in beautiful makeup and clothing but falling down in the mud.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of mud
Noun
  • Per experts, pyramid pins are cone-shaped and work well on rubber tracks, grass, and gravel, while needle pins are sharp, thin, and offer more intense grip.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The leak started during the startup and the chemical went into a containment area and then overflowed onto a gravel area.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of gravel
Noun
  • Unique red sand, aqua seas, and dramatic lava cliffs provide an inspired setting.
    — Jennifer Tzeses, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Gelatin holds the mixture together and feeds the growing cells, while sand supplies structural mass.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of sand
Noun
  • Each of its elements began, long ago, in the loamy earth, hatching and creeping or slipping, slick and squealing, from the womb of the mind.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Gadolinite was later found to contain several previously unknown elements belonging to the rare-earth group.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of earth

Browse Nearby Words

loafs
loam
loams
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Cite this Entry

“Loam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loam. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on loam

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about loam

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