subsoil

[ suhb-soil ]

noun

1. the bed or stratum of earth or earthy material immediately under the surface soil.

subsoil

/ ˈsʌbˌsɔɪl /

noun

1. 1. Also calledundersoil the layer of soil beneath the surface soil and overlying the bedrock
   2. ( as modifier )

      a subsoil plough

verb

1. tr to plough (land) to a depth below the normal ploughing level and so break up the subsoil

subsoil

/ sŭb′soil′ /

1. In an ABC soil, the B horizon. The term was formerly used to mean the layer of earth below the humus or surface soil.

Derived Forms

• ˈsubˌsoiler, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsoil¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; sub- + soil ¹

Example Sentences

Excavators are then used to dig out the top soil and subsoil.

From BBC

“They believe that if they replace its cultural subsoil, if they bring in millions of people from new ethnic groups which are not rooted in Christian culture, then they will transform Europe according to their conception.”

From Salon

Taiwan’s religious diversity and vitality forms a kind of subsoil of the self-governed island’s identity and values.

From New York Times

If you dig a burial pit into the subsoil, when you take the dead out and backfill it, the soil will be a different color.

From Science Magazine

This man’s house is located in a region with dense clay subsoil.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• clay
• coast
• dirt
• dust
• gravel
• land
• mud
• sand
• shore
• surface
• terrain
• turf