sedimentary

[ sed-uh-men-tuh-ree ]
See synonyms for sedimentary on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. of, relating to, or of the nature of sediment.

  2. Geology. formed by the deposition of sediment, as certain rocks.

Origin of sedimentary

1
First recorded in 1820–30; sediment + -ary
  • Sometimes sed·i·men·tal [sed-uh-men-tl] /ˌsɛd əˈmɛn tl/ .

Other words from sedimentary

  • sed·i·men·tar·i·ly [sed-uh-muhn-tair-uh-lee, sed-uh-muhn-ter-], /ˌsɛd ə mənˈtɛər ə li, ˈsɛd ə mənˌtɛr-/, adverb
  • un·sed·i·men·tar·i·ly, adverb
  • un·sed·i·men·ta·ry, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for sedimentary

sedimentary

/ (ˌsɛdɪˈmɛntərɪ) /


adjective
  1. characteristic of, resembling, or containing sediment

  2. (of rocks) formed by the accumulation and consolidation of mineral and organic fragments that have been deposited by water, ice, or wind: Compare igneous, metamorphic

Derived forms of sedimentary

  • sedimentarily, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for sedimentary

sedimentary

[ sĕd′ə-mĕntə-rē ]


  1. Relating to rocks formed when sediment is deposited and becomes tightly compacted. Depending on the origin of the sediments they contain, sedimentary rocks are classified as clastic sedimentary rocks, chemical sedimentary rocks, or evaporites. Sandstone and conglomerate, for example, consist of fragments of broken preexisting rocks or minerals and are classified as clastic sedimentary rocks. Limestone forms from the precipitation of calcium carbonate through water and is classified as a chemical sedimentary rock. Gypsum and halite deposits form through the evaporation of mineral-rich water and are classified as evaporites.

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