subsurface

1 of 2

noun

sub·​sur·​face ˈsəb-ˌsər-fəs How to pronounce subsurface (audio)
: earth material (such as rock) near but not exposed at the surface of the ground

subsurface

2 of 2

adjective

sub·​sur·​face ˌsəb-ˈsər-fəs How to pronounce subsurface (audio)
: of, relating to, or being something located beneath a surface and especially underground

Examples of subsurface in a Sentence

Adjective a sandy wasteland that gave little hint of its subsurface wealth
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Another solar system moon, Saturn's Enceladus, was discovered in 2004 to have a subsurface ocean, which has now pegged the moon as a prime candidate for life beyond our planet. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 The objective is to turn an old subsurface coal mine into a largest photovoltaic solar farm to generate 401 megawatts of energy for 70,000 homes. Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
So Marco Mastrogiuseppe, a researcher on the Cassini team who had used instruments like RADAR to map subsurface water on Mars, decided to try something. Liz Kruesi, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2015 An entire ocean’s worth is unlikely, but a significant amount of subsurface water isn’t. John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 8 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for subsurface 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1775, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsurface was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near subsurface

Cite this Entry

“Subsurface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsurface. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!