Subsurface: meaning, definitions and examples

🌎
Add to dictionary

subsurface

 

[ ˈsʌbsɜːfɪs ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

geology

The area below the surface of the ground; the underground layer or layers of soil or rock.

Synonyms

below ground, subterranean, underground

Examples of usage

  • Oil and gas are extracted from the subsurface for energy production.
  • Geologists study the subsurface to understand the composition of the earth's crust.
Context #2 | Adjective

engineering

Located or occurring below the surface, especially in reference to construction or exploration activities.

Synonyms

below ground, underground, underneath

Examples of usage

  • Subsurface water flow can impact the stability of the foundation.
  • The subsurface conditions were carefully analyzed before starting the construction project.

Translations

Translations of the word "subsurface" in other languages:

🇵🇹 subsuperfície

🇮🇳 उपसतही

🇩🇪 unter der Oberfläche

🇮🇩 bawah permukaan

🇺🇦 підповерхневий

🇵🇱 podpowierzchniowy

🇯🇵 地下の

🇫🇷 sous la surface

🇪🇸 subsuperficial

🇹🇷 yüzey altı

🇰🇷 지하의

🇸🇦 تحت السطح

🇨🇿 podpovrchový

🇸🇰 podpovrchový

🇨🇳 地下的

🇸🇮 podpovršinski

🇮🇸 undir yfirborði

🇰🇿 бетінің асты

🇬🇪 ქვედა ზედაპირის

🇦🇿 səthaltı

🇲🇽 subsuperficial

Etymology

The word 'subsurface' originated from the combination of 'sub-' meaning below or under, and 'surface' referring to the outermost layer of something. It first appeared in the mid-19th century in the context of geology and engineering to describe areas or conditions below the visible surface. Over time, the term has been widely used in various scientific and technical fields to denote the underground or lower layers of soil, rock, or other materials.

See also: resurface, surface, surfaces, undersurface.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,549, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.