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night soil

noun

Definition of night soilnext
as in soil

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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 night soil This strategy became necessary after an errant tomato plant sprouted from a visitor's night soil back in the 1960s. — Amy Brady, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023 The night soil temperatures are not ideal to put them out yet. — oregonlive, 1 May 2021 For millennia, people collected these precious substances—often in the wee hours, giving rise to the term night soil—and used them to grow food. — Julia Rosen, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for night soil
  1. soil
  2. stool
  3. manure
  4. poop
  5. excrement
Noun
  • The vigils, which drew tens of thousands of people a year, were the only large-scale public commemoration on Chinese soil of the Tiananmen crackdown, discussion of which is heavily censored in mainland China.
    — Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In the panicked days after the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, New Yorkers agreed that their city had changed forever.
    — Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of soil
Noun
  • Graham was there alright, an old lady pacing around the stage or sitting on a stool.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The cook’s line hand sink was partially blacked by a box of chicken stored on a stool.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of stool
Noun
  • Cattle manure from a Nebraska feedlot is set to become a source of renewable natural gas under a project that could also support fuel production for ships.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Mixing in compost or aged manure improves water retention and nutrient availability.
    — Rachel Gillett, Martha Stewart, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of manure
Noun
  • Such is the Hermès commitment to authenticity that the poop was sourced directly from the unit.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Another eight poop pieces were behind the front counter, on the floor around reach-in coolers and cabinets.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of poop
Noun
  • Gulliver incredulously witnesses people attempting to extract sunbeams from cucumbers and turn excrement back into edible food.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Last December at the Ichimi in Coral Gables, an inspector counted 500 pieces of roach excrement.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of excrement

Browse Nearby Words

nightshirts
night soil
night soils
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Cite this Entry

“Night soil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/night%20soil. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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