Standard Lemma guide

subgrade

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The layer of native soil on which the foundation of a road is laid.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A taxon ranking immediately below grade.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: systematics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *upó Proto-Italic *supo Latin sub Latin sub-der. English sub- English grade English subgrade From sub- + grade.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 路基 (lùjī) — layer of soil under the road
  • Czech: podloží — layer of soil under the road
  • Finnish: pohjamaa — layer of soil under the road
  • Spanish: subrasante — layer of soil under the road