free soil

¹

noun

, U.S. History.

1. a region, especially a U.S. territory, prohibiting slavery prior to the Civil War.

free-soil

²

[ free-soil ]

adjective

, U.S. History.

1. pertaining to or opposing the extension of slavery in the Territories.
2. pertaining to or characteristic of the Free Soil party.

Other Words From

• free-soilism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of free soil¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Origin of free soil²

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

Eight years later, Van Buren attempted a comeback with the Free Soil Party but failed to garner any electoral votes.

From Seattle Times

Two political groups, the Liberty and Free Soil parties, emerged from this movement.

From Literature

Arriving on New York’s free soil, he later wrote, “A new world burst upon my agitated vision.”

From Literature

An antislavery coalition forms the Free Soil party and nominates former president Martin Van Buren as its candidate.

From Literature

Liang said he told an immigration official he encountered at the border: “I’m finally on free soil.”

From Los Angeles Times