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
  • Before-and-after images aired by state broadcaster China Central Television showed a multistory building and more than a dozen vehicles covered in mud.
    — Shristi Kafle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In Tibet, a mudslide that struck near the land border crossing of Gyirong Port on Wednesday left mud in the surrounding areas that was more than 5 feet deep on average, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.
    — Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of mud
Noun
  • Those features can also be useful from Monday through Friday, especially when the route to class or work includes damaged pavement, construction zones and gravel shortcuts.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Stage six’s partly-gravel climb up the Puerto El Bartalo will surely be too tough for him, but Saturday’s flat finish in Xeraco already seems destined to end in a Brennan victory.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of gravel
Noun
  • Most Popular Above all, Cape Town is a beach town that spoils with options for sun and sand.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Camp out under the stars near a pristine, white sand beach at Water Canyon Campground, located on Santa Rosa Island.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sand
Noun
  • The light that does reach the moon is filtered through the earth’s atmosphere, according to NASA.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Popular and literary myth tells that when martyrs die on the soil, the earth receiving their blood will give forth new fighters, thus the roses scattered on the cracking mud.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on loam

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about loam

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