loam

noun

Definition of loamnext
as in topsoil
a type of soil that is good for growing plants

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loam Is the soil a porous, well-draining loam, or a rocky clay that will be hard to dig in and harder to drain? — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026 Asparagus prefers soil with plenty of organic matter, and that's well-drained, with an almost sandy-loam consistency. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 2026 The soils, shaped by glacial activity, consist of sandy loam and glacial till, offering excellent drainage and contributing natural minerality. — Michael Johnson, Twin Cities, 23 Feb. 2026 But the conflict between Joe and Ted goes back further and is rooted in a deep loam of backstory that emerges bit by bit. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loam
  1. topsoil
  2. humus
  3. clay
  4. mud
  5. gravel
  6. sand
  7. earth
Noun
  • Apply a thin layer of compost and topsoil during active growing seasons to boost nutrients and improve drainage.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Research after previous wildfires found that up to 34% of properties still contained hazardous contamination, such as heavy metals, even after the debris had been removed and the topsoil scraped away.
    — Andrew J. Whelton, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of topsoil
Noun
  • This includes decaying plant and animal residues, humus, and living microorganisms.
    — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
  • Composting in the garden is just a way of speeding up the natural process that creates soil all over the world, as organisms such as bacteria, fungi, insects and earthworms consume dead plants to make humus.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2026
Definition of humus
Noun
  • Featuring warm neutrals, earthy tones, muted pinks, clay hues, and airy blues, the palette includes shades inspired by nature—from sandy beaches to golden autumn leaves.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Conventional production involves heating limestone, clay and other materials to temperatures up to 2,552 degrees Fahrenheit (1,400 degrees Celsius).
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of clay
Noun
  • In many cases, bodies have been washed far downstream and rendered unrecognizable, while others still missing are feared to have been buried in the torrent of thick mud.
    — Andrew Jones, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
  • After months of further reporting, handwringing, mud-slinging and general messiness, the NBA dropped the hammer yesterday.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of mud
Noun
  • The two cars Bentley brought to Laguna Seca are the only two that have been built so far, and sullying either with a trip through the gravel or, worse yet, into a tire barrier, was definitely not on the agenda.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Beige gravel serves as a backdrop to small circular stepping stones in a contrasting gray tone.
    — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of gravel
Noun
  • Lunches can be taken at Da Gioia’s tiny stretch of smooth pebble beach (the rocky Amalfi’s coast version of white sand) at Marina Piccola, with space enough for 42 sun loungers at low tide and a private rentable section for 6-8 more.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
  • After much frustration from all parties, a line was drawn in the sand.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of sand
Noun
  • In the middle of the BioCharger, within the geometric, connected plates of glass, is a Tesla coil, which ionizes the surrounding 12 glass tubes that hold six noble gases, the gases in the earth’s atmosphere.
    — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • His first responded to Trump’s April 2025 imposition of a 145 percent tariff on imports from China; Beijing then halted global exports of rare-earth permanent magnets, another essential input for car seats, windshield wipers, motors, and cameras.
    — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of earth

Browse Nearby Words

loafs
loam
loams
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Cite this Entry

“Loam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loam. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on loam

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about loam

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