loess

noun

ˈles How to pronounce loess (audio)
ˈləs,
ˈlō-əs,
ˈlərs How to pronounce loess (audio)
: an unstratified usually buff to yellowish brown loamy deposit found in North America, Europe, and Asia and believed to be chiefly deposited by the wind
loessial
ˈle-sē-əl How to pronounce loess (audio)
ˈlə-
lō-ˈe-
ˈlər- How to pronounce loess (audio)
adjective

Examples of loess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When blown by the wind, these sediments are referred to as loess. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 2 Sep. 2021 Soils here are particularly complex, featuring chalk, sand, gravel, clay, loess, quartzite and slate. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021 The soils types include shell-limestone, keuper, marl, loess and clay. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021 Soils here are very heterogenous with thick loess soils in the eastern portion and sandstone in the western region abutting the Haardt Mountains. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2021 When the tunnel was first dug, the ice held the loess in place. Madeline Ostrander, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German Löss

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loess was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near loess

Cite this Entry

“Loess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loess. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

loess

noun
ˈles How to pronounce loess (audio) ˈlə(r)s How to pronounce loess (audio)
ˈlō-əs
: a fine usually yellowish brown soil found in North America, Europe, and Asia and believed to be chiefly deposited by the wind

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