sub·sur·face
ˈsəb-ˌsər-fəs 
: earth material (such as rock) near but not exposed at the surface of the ground
sub·sur·face
ˌsəb-ˈsər-fəs
: of, relating to, or being something located beneath a surface and especially underground
Synonyms
Examples of subsurface in a Sentence
Adjective
a sandy wasteland that gave little hint of its subsurface wealth
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan Chelius, Field & Stream, 29 May 2024
Lithium — a relatively rare soft, light metal found in rocks and subsurface fluids — also powers everything from consumer electronics to life-saving medical devices, as well as strengthening glass for smartphone screens.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2024
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 
Noun
This gives you the opportunity to hook subsurface fish that aren’t dialed in on cicadas.
—Ryan Chelius, Field & Stream, 29 May 2024
Lithium — a relatively rare soft, light metal found in rocks and subsurface fluids — also powers everything from consumer electronics to life-saving medical devices, as well as strengthening glass for smartphone screens.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subsurface.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near subsurface
Cite this Entry
“Subsurface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsurface. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
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