definition
strict definition
soil
Flooring or ground composed of earthen material with a natural mixture of minerals and organic substances.
As a flooring material, sports pitch, or ground surface, soil is a naturalistic layer composed of particulate mineral matter mixed thoroughly with organic material. It is generally compacted and flattened, without plant growth. It can be laid down as an optional material or left in its original state as a matter of convenience.
The exposed layer is the mineral-and-organic soil mixture itself. A surface covered by dense grass belongs to a different ground-material meaning.
The soil can be placed deliberately or retained where it naturally occurs. Compaction and flattening do not make it a manufactured paving material.
Related definitions
-
grass
A floor or ground surface covered by living grass rooted in soil, generally kept short for walking, recreation, or sport. -
hard sand
A floor or ground area composed of sand particles packed or hardened into a firm surface. -
ice
A hard layer of frozen water used as a floor, ground, or sports surface, commonly smoothed for skating. -
sawdust
A floor or ground surface covered by very fine, powder-like wood particles, usually from sawing or planing. -
soft sand
A floor or ground area composed of sand particles packed very loosely with pronounced ripples in the surface. -
wood chips
A floor or ground surface with an upper layer of small, loose wood pieces, usually shredded or produced by woodcutting.