subsurface

American

[suhb-sur-fuhs, suhb-sur-] / sʌbˈsɜr fəs, ˈsʌbˌsɜr- /

adjective

below the surface, especially of a body of water.

Etymology

Origin of subsurface

First recorded in 1770–80; sub- + surface

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Pavlov said the findings are encouraging for NASA's Europa Clipper mission, which will study Europa's ice shell and subsurface ocean.

From Science Daily

"The volcano did not erupt just once -- it evolved over time as conditions in the subsurface changed."

From Science Daily

The spacecraft is designed to study Europa's ice shell, subsurface ocean, and overall habitability using a suite of scientific instruments.

From Science Daily

The crew was looking for clues that would help it better understand what the subsurface looks like, and where to eventually drill production wells.

From The Wall Street Journal

Because seismic waves move differently through each material, the type of subsurface strongly influences how shaking is felt at the surface.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023