subsoil

[suhb-soil]

See more synonyms for subsoil on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

Origin of subsoil

First recorded in 1790–1800; sub- + soil¹

Also called undersoil.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for subsoil

land, dirt, terrain, shore, surface, coast, mud, clay, dust, turf, gravel, sand, clod, sod, muck, compost, deposit, mold, fill, marl

Examples from the Web for subsoil

Historical Examples of subsoil

It provides that the State is entitled to retain what they call ‘subsoil rights.’
Across the Mesa
Jarvis Hall
I think, however, I will turn over a furrow of subsoil in it.
The Professor at the Breakfast Table
Oliver Wendell Holmes (Sr.)
The strength of team depends entirely on the character of the subsoil.
Farm drainage
Henry Flagg French
The subsoil is a store of inert fertility that should not remain dormant.
Crops and Methods for Soil Improvement
Alva Agee
They improve the physical condition of the subsoil as well as the top soil.
Crops and Methods for Soil Improvement
Alva Agee

British Dictionary definitions for subsoil

subsoil

noun

1. Also called: undersoilthe layer of soil beneath the surface soil and overlying the bedrock
2. (as modifier)a subsoil plough

verb

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

Derived Formssubsoiler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for subsoil

1799, from sub- + soil (n.).

subsoil in Science

subsoil

[sŭb′soil′]

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