sorting

American  

[sawr-ting] / ˈsɔr tɪŋ /

noun

Geology.

1. the process by which sedimentary particles become separated according to some particular characteristic, as size or shape.

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sorting Scientific  

/ sôr′tĭng /

1. The process by which sediment particles that have a certain characteristic, such as a given shape or grain size, are separated from other associated particles by an active agent of transportation, such as wind, a stream, or a glacier.

2. A measure of the degree to which this process has occurred within a body of sediment. Wind-blown sediments are usually well-sorted because only a small range of grain sizes can be lifted by a particular wind velocity. Glacially derived sediments are usually poorly sorted because of the great range of particle sizes that are picked up by a moving glacier.

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Etymology

Origin of sorting

sort + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Today, social media, aspirational culture and the sorting of the professional class into a handful of expensive cities mean the middle class compares itself constantly with those doing far better.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

“And then I think, then, you’ll have a sorting between companies that are real and companies that aren’t.”

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

There is a familiar litany of criticisms levelled at the big players, including sorting users into "filter bubbles", unevenly-enforced moderation and addictive design.

From Barron's • May 9, 2026

She’s still sorting out how to present this album live.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

I asked, eager to get that resolved while we were still in the business of sorting things out.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk

Related Words

• allocation
• allotment
• analysis
• arrangement
• coordination
• designation
• distribution
• grade
• regulation