regolith

[ reg-uh-lith ]

noun

1. mantle rock.

regolith

/ ˈrɛɡəlɪθ /

noun

1. the layer of loose material covering the bedrock of the earth and moon, etc, comprising soil, sand, rock fragments, volcanic ash, glacial drift, etc

regolith

/ rĕg′ə-lĭth′ /

1. The layer of rock and mineral fragments that rests on bedrock and is produced by the weathering of rocks. Regolith constitutes the surface of most land.

Word History and Origins

Origin of regolith¹

1895–1900; < Greek rhêgo ( s ) rug, blanket + -lith

Word History and Origins

Origin of regolith¹

C20: from Greek rhēgos covering, blanket + lithos stone

Example Sentences

There’s subsurface ice underneath a dry layer of regolith, just like we see on Mars.

From Nautilus

Instead it’s trapped inside regolith—the layer of rock and fine dust that covers the moon’s surface.

From Singularity Hub 

Extracting oxygen from regolith would also require substantial industrial equipment.

From Singularity Hub 

It has been created by a vast array of organisms working on the soil’s parent material—regolith, derived from hard rock—over millions of years.

From Singularity Hub 

The moon’s regolith is made up of approximately 45 percent oxygen.

From Singularity Hub