Definition of soil

For agriculturists
The soil is only top layer of earth which supports, sustains and nourishes plants.
For geologists
The term 'soil' is used for upper layer of mantle by geologist.
For civil engineer
The soil is naturally occurring unconsolidated earth material, which is organic or non organic in nature which is obtained on bed rock.
According to Dr. Terzaghi
The soil can be divided into thier constituent particles relatively easily, such as by agitation in water. On the other hand, rocks are an agglomeration of mineral particles which are boded together by strong molecular forces, But the difference between soils and rocks is not much clear cut. Many hard soils can also be termed as soft rock or vice versa.