1. a reddish clay soil rich in iron and aluminum oxides, formed by weathering in tropical climates
Usage: geology

Examples

• The laterite soil in the region made farming challenging due to its poor nutrient content.
• Ancient temples in Cambodia were built using blocks of laterite stone.
• Laterite forms when heavy rainfall leaches nutrients from tropical soils.
• The distinctive red color of laterite comes from iron oxide deposits.
• Road construction in tropical areas often utilizes laterite as a building material.
• Geologists studied the laterite formation to understand the area’s climate history.