topsoil

noun

top·​soil ˈtäp-ˌsȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce topsoil (audio)
Synonyms of topsoilnext
: surface soil usually including the organic layer in which plants have most of their roots and which the farmer turns over in plowing

Examples of topsoil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Planting a clover lawn is as easy as sprinkling topsoil over an even distribution of seeds, followed by watering. Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 30 Apr. 2026 Water once or twice a week in summer, allowing the topsoil to dry slightly between sessions. Nolan Lewis, Architectural Digest, 27 Apr. 2026 The worms thrash and move erratically with a snake-like motion that disturbs the topsoil. Maria Braganini, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026 Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, large areas of farmland were treated similarly, and contaminated topsoil was removed and stored in temporary as well as long-term facilities. Eduardo B. Farfán, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for topsoil

Word History

First Known Use

1733, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of topsoil was in 1733

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Cite this Entry

“Topsoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topsoil. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

topsoil

noun
top·​soil -ˌsȯil How to pronounce topsoil (audio)
: surface soil usually including the rich upper layer in which plants have most of their roots and which the farmer turns over in plowing

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