1 loam | Definition of loam

loam

noun
\ ˈlōm How to pronounce loam (audio) , chiefly Northern & Midland ˈlüm, New England also ˈlu̇m\

Definition of loam

1a : a mixture (as for plastering) composed chiefly of moistened clay
b : a coarse molding sand used in founding (see found entry 5)
2 : soil specifically : a soil consisting of a friable mixture of varying proportions of clay, silt, and sand

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from loam

loamy \ ˈlō-​mē How to pronounce loamy (audio) , ˈlü-​ , ˈlu̇-​ \ adjective

Examples of loam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The herbs thrive like grapes in the fertile loam and cooler temperatures of the Coombsville appellation. Sheryl Jean, Dallas News, "A small organic herbal tea farm flourishes in Northern California wine country," 28 Aug. 2019 Nicky Wire’s bass-lines wriggle in the loam at the bottom of the mix, like Jah Wobble’s. Longreads, "Manic Street Preachers’ Album The Holy Bible," 25 June 2019 Cabbage Growing Guidelines Soil texture is not critical, but early cabbages do best in a sandy loam, while later types prefer a heavier, moisture-retaining soil. The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "Cabbage Is One Of The Easiest Vegetables To Grow In Your Garden," 24 May 2017 Brazile swings his arm, once, twice, three times, Deputy’s hoofs pounding the sandy loam, the loop circling his head. Melissa Lyttle, Smithsonian, "The First Family of Rodeo," 13 Dec. 2017 Aim to provide for your tomatoes a sandy loam soil that does not remain soggy. Walter Reeves, ajc, "Wisteria takes persistence to control," 27 June 2018 The bruise, and not scratches, was apparently the cause of Justify’s post-Derby discomfort, discovered and exacerbated when Justify walked from the soft loam inside the barn to the gravel outside. Tim Layden, SI.com, "Can Justify Overcome Obstacles to Move Closer to History at the Preakness?," 17 May 2018 Marathon County’s soil—rich in loam after the retreat of glaciers from the Great Lakes—and cool climate hone the root’s flavor and appearance, enabling farmers to charge as much as a 50% premium over Canadian ginseng and twice China’s prices. Chuin-wei Yap, WSJ, "Chinese Tariffs Take Root in American Ginseng," 25 Apr. 2018 One of the earliest images is of a tractor, plowing through dark loam and unearthing an artillery shell, presumably from the killing fields of the First World War. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, "“This Is Our Land” and “Le Corbeau”," 5 July 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'loam.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of loam

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for loam

Middle English lom, from Old English lām clay, mud; akin to Old English līm lime

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for loam

loam

noun

English Language Learners Definition of loam

: a type of soil that is good for growing plants

loam

noun
\ ˈlōm How to pronounce loam (audio) \

Kids Definition of loam

: a soil having the appropriate amount of silt, clay, and sand for good plant growth

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on loam

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for loam

Spanish Central: Translation of loam

Nglish: Translation of loam for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about loam