1. Plural of gley; waterlogged soils that develop under conditions of poor drainage, typically characterized by a bluish-gray or greenish color due to lack of oxygen.
Usage: technical; soil science

Examples

• The farmer's field contained gleys that made drainage a persistent challenge.
• Gleys are common in wetland areas and regions with high water tables.
• The soil scientist identified gleys by their characteristic gray coloration and poor aeration.
• Gleys require special management techniques to improve their agricultural productivity.
• In coastal marshes, gleys form due to constant saturation from groundwater.