soil

¹ American  

[soil] / sɔɪl /

noun

1. the portion of the earth's surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus.

2. a particular kind of earth.

   sandy soil.

3. the ground as producing vegetation or as cultivated for its crops.

   fertile soil.

4. a country, land, or region.

   an act committed on American soil.

5. the ground or earth.

   tilling the soil.

6. any place or condition providing the opportunity for growth or development.

   Some believe that poverty provides the soil for crime.

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soil ² American  

[soil] / sɔɪl /

verb (used with object)

1. to feed (confined cattle, horses, etc.) freshly cut green fodder for roughage.

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soil ³ American  

[soil] / sɔɪl /

verb (used with object)

1. to make unclean, dirty, or filthy, especially on the surface.

   to soil one's clothes.

2. to smirch, smudge, or stain.

   The ink soiled his hands.

3. to sully or tarnish, as with disgrace; defile morally.

   to soil one's good name.

   Synonyms:

   debase, taint, blacken

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verb (used without object)

1. to become soiled.

   White soils easily.

noun

1. the act or fact of soiling.

2. the state of being soiled.

3. a spot, mark, or stain.

4. dirty or foul matter; filth; sewage.

5. ordure; manure

soil ¹ British  

/ sɔɪl /

noun

1. the top layer of the land surface of the earth that is composed of disintegrated rock particles, humus, water, and air See zonal soil azonal soil intrazonal soil horizon horizon

2. a type of this material having specific characteristics

   loamy soil

3. land, country, or region

   one's native soil

4. life and work on a farm; land

   he belonged to the soil, as his forefathers had

5. any place or thing encouraging growth or development

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soil ² British  

/ sɔɪl /

verb

1. to make or become dirty or stained

2. (tr) to pollute with sin or disgrace; sully; defile

   he soiled the family honour by his cowardice

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noun

1. the state or result of soiling

2. refuse, manure, or excrement

soil ³ British  

/ sɔɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to feed (livestock) freshly cut green fodder either to fatten or purge them

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soil Scientific  

/ soil /

1. The loose top layer of the Earth's surface, consisting of rock and mineral particles mixed with decayed organic matter (humus), and capable of retaining water, providing nutrients for plants, and supporting a wide range of biotic communities. Soil is formed by a combination of depositional, chemical, and biological processes and plays an important role in the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles. Soil types vary widely from one region to another, depending on the type of bedrock they overlie and the climate in which they form. In wet and humid regions, for example, soils tend to be thicker than they do in dry regions.

2. See more at A horizon B horizon C horizon See illustration at ABC soil

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soil Cultural  

1. Material on the surface of the Earth on which plants can grow. (See topsoil.)

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Discover More

Soil is produced by the weathering of rocks.

Other Word Forms

• soilless adjective

Etymology

Origin of soil¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English soil, soil(l)e “land, native land, piece of ground, earth, soil,” from Anglo-French soil, soyl, variants of Old French sueil, souil, from Latin solium “high-backed chair, throne, seat,” confused with solum “base, foundation, ground”; sole ² ( def. )

Origin of soil¹

First recorded in 1600–10; origin uncertain

Origin of soil¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English verb soilen, soil(l)e “to dirty,” from Old French soillier, soullier, suillier, from Vulgar Latin suculāre, (unrecorded) “to wallow like a pig,” derivative verb of suculus or sucula, diminutives of sus “pig, sow”; sow ², -cle ¹

Example Sentences

David Dunlop, a farmer based in the area, said he used a digger to create dams out of soil to try and redirect the flooding from the houses.

From BBC

Victory sees England end Sri Lanka's 12-series unbeaten run on home soil in the 50-over format and eases any lingering concerns that they may have to go through qualifying to reach the 2027 World Cup.

From BBC

For example, I know you can’t plant garlic and beans close together, because they need the same nutrients from the soil.

From Literature

“Then leave, I say! Leave now or you will regret setting foot on this soil.”

From Literature

British and Irish actors often perform better on their own soil, plus there are categories dedicated to outstanding British debut and outstanding British film, in addition to best overall film.

From BBC

Related Words

• besmirch
• contaminate
• debase
• degrade
• muddy
• pollute
• smear
• smudge
• sully
• taint
• tar
• tarnish