sedimentary rock

Cultural  

1. Rock that has formed through the deposition and solidification of sediment, especially sediment transported by water (rivers, lakes, and oceans), ice (glaciers), and wind. Sedimentary rocks are often deposited in layers, and frequently contain fossils.

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Limestone and shale are common sedimentary rocks.

Example Sentences

For centuries, Lake Maracaibo’s environs were known for natural seepage of oil rising to the surface from sedimentary rock, a phenomenon also seen in sites like Los Angeles’ La Brea Tar Pits.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026

Shale is, after all, the most common sedimentary rock and found all over the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

Imprinted in sediments or sedimentary rock, they record a specific moment of activity and confirm the exact location where an individual stood or moved.

From Science Daily • Nov. 13, 2025

Companies drill wells for the gas and, in many cases, shoot water and chemicals into the sedimentary rock to force methane up to the surface where they collect it and pipe it to refineries.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024

The new evidence may be stated as follows: Estimates of the amounts of sedimentary rock on the continents have repeatedly been made.

From The Birth-Time of the World and Other Scientific Essays by Joly, John