# peat

/ˈpit/ (US) · /pˈiːt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/peat
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a dark, thick material made of rotted plants found in wet ground. People dry it out to use as fuel for fires or mix it into soil to help plants grow.

For teachers: an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter that forms in wetlands such as bogs or moors. Often harvested for use as a domestic fuel source or as a soil conditioner in horticulture.

## Examples

- The gardener added peat to the soil to help the flowers grow.
- In many rural parts of Ireland, families still harvest peat from the local bogs to heat their homes during the winter.
- Environmentalists advocate for the protection of peatlands because these ecosystems act as massive carbon sinks, storing more carbon than all the world's forests combined.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the material; can be used as a modifier in compound nouns like 'peat bog' or 'peat fire'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.