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 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 The region's soils consist of limestone, clay, and iron-rich loams. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 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
  • The topsoil may be dry, but below the surface, the soil may be moist.
    — Lauren David, Southern Living, 12 July 2026
  • Once in the proper gear, Adams recommends removing the top two inches of topsoil from gardens, where the highest concentration of contaminants will settle after a fire.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 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
  • Less perfect was the fact that the chalk sat under 170 ft (52 m) of London blue clay – far too deep to anchor traditional pilings.
    — David Szondy August 01, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Ever since the Spaniard announced that a wrist injury would sideline him through the end of the clay-court season, and then through Wimbledon, the sport’s ever-simmering terror around them has threatened to boil over.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of clay
Noun
  • The biologists reported that some had closed shut or spit out mucus to try to clear the mud.
    — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Some demonstrators marched through steady rain that day, and after police dismantled their tents, others rebuilt their camps in the mud that followed.
    — Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of mud
Noun
  • Reynolds also described unsanitary conditions due to the slaughter area being outdoors with dirt and gravel.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • Eric Hammond with Colorado State University Extension notes that gravel mulch transfers more heat to underlying soil than wood chip mulch does.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of gravel
Noun
  • Several inches of sand fill the front row of Aliso Beach's parking lot after surf coupled with high tides pounded the Orange County shore.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The ability to walk from your bed to the sand and stare at the sea is the star of the show here.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Definition of sand
Noun
  • Luca Bindi, an earth scientist at the University of Florence in Italy, found the alloy while collecting microscopic debris from along the beaches of Hiroshima Bay.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
  • At the base, blueberry shrubs have multiple canes (or branches) that grow directly out of the earth in clumps.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 July 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on loam

Nglish: Translation of loam for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about loam

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