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

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

Biological traces from animal and plant material in the subsoil consist of carbon.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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