B2nounenvironmentnature
US/ˈtɑːp.sɔɪl/
UK/ˈtɒp.sɔɪl/
the top layer of soil, which contains most of the nutrients plants need
In context
Heavy rain washed away much of the topsoil on the hillside farms.
It takes hundreds of years for nature to produce a few centimeters of topsoil.
Planting trees helps protect the topsoil from being blown away by the wind.
Words that go with topsoil
adjective + noun
- rich topsoilThe farm has rich topsoil that holds water well.
- fertile topsoilFertile topsoil is a farmer's most valuable resource.
noun + preposition
- erosion of topsoilErosion of topsoil is a serious problem in dry regions.
- loss of topsoilDeforestation leads to a rapid loss of topsoil.
verb + noun
- lose topsoilFields lose topsoil quickly when they are left bare.
- protect the topsoilCover crops protect the topsoil in winter.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
a lot of topsoilsCorrect: a lot of topsoil