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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Anglo-French |
| Origin: | 'piece of ground', from Latin solium 'seat'; influenced by Latin solum 'ground, soil' |
1 [uncountable and countable]TASDLG the top layer of the earth in which plants grow [= earth]: 
The soil here is very poor.The bush grows well in a sandy soil. ➔ see usage note ground1
The soil here is very poor.The bush grows well in a sandy soil.2 in Britain, France etc : The crime was committed on American soil.
on British/French/foreign etc soil
formalSANThe crime was committed on American soil.3 [uncountable] a place or situation where something can develop :
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
ground, land, earth, soil, floorThe ground is the surface that you walk on when you are outdoors • There were a few flakes of snow on the ground. • an area of muddy groundland is an area of ground that is owned or controlled by someone • They were on his land. • land set aside for housingIt is also the part of the earth's surface that is not covered in water • animals that live on landearth or soil is the soft substance that covers the ground and that plants grow in • Green shoots peeped through the earth. • fertile soilThe Earth or earth is also the planet that we live on.The floor is the surface that you walk on when you are indoors • There's mud all over the floor! ➔ See also ground
WORD CHOICE: ground, land, earth, soil, floorThe ground is the surface that you walk on when you are outdoors • There were a few flakes of snow on the ground. • an area of muddy groundland is an area of ground that is owned or controlled by someone • They were on his land. • land set aside for housingIt is also the part of the earth's surface that is not covered in water • animals that live on landearth or soil is the soft substance that covers the ground and that plants grow in • Green shoots peeped through the earth. • fertile soilThe Earth or earth is also the planet that we live on.The floor is the surface that you walk on when you are indoors • There's mud all over the floor! ➔ See also ground
