as in loam
a brown or black material in soil that is formed when plants and animals decay
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of humus
In addition to sphagnum peat moss, however, the lightweight potting mix contains humus and perlite, which help provide the necessary aeration and drainage for cacti and succulents.
—
Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and all that humus rot.
—Chris Bohjalian, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
Strobe lights periodically illuminated three large heaps of compost, flecked with humus; a machine puffed artificial fog.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
No matter how it is described, the humus-like material distributed to gardeners, neighborhood groups and landscapers by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is still sewage sludge — a byproduct of human excrement and industrial waste from Chicago and the Cook County suburbs.
—Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for humus 
Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and all that humus rot.
—Chris Bohjalian, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023
Strobe lights periodically illuminated three large heaps of compost, flecked with humus; a machine puffed artificial fog.
—Anna Wiener, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
No matter how it is described, the humus-like material distributed to gardeners, neighborhood groups and landscapers by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is still sewage sludge — a byproduct of human excrement and industrial waste from Chicago and the Cook County suburbs.
—Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for humus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humus
Noun
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Carrots need a loose loam or sandy soil and plenty of moisture.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
23 Jan. 2025
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The soils consist of clay, limestone, and gravel loams.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
17 Sep. 2024
Noun
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But that assertion appears to conflict with previous analyses that show dangerous levels of chemicals even after the federal cleanup workers clear a layer of topsoil.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2025
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Industrial farming has utterly devastated native ecosystems across the Midwest and completely removed at least a quarter of the topsoil in the Corn Belt.—
Benji Jones,
Vox,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country.—
Tom Schardin,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Cook the clay pot over medium-high heat until steam begins to billow, approximately 17 minutes.—
Ingu Chen,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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In the Los Angeles area, mud and debris covered several major roads including the Pacific Coast Highway near the Pacific Palisades and Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills.—
Christopher Cann,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
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This time-lapse shows floodwater, mud and debris spilling into the Bailey Canyon Debris Basin, located near the Eaton Fire burn scar.—
Hanna Park and Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near humus
Cite this Entry
“Humus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humus. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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