sediment

American  

[sed-uh-muhnt, sed-uh-ment] / ˈsɛd ə mənt, ˈsɛd əˌmɛnt /

noun

1. the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid; lees; dregs.

2. Geology. mineral or organic matter deposited by water, air, or ice.

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verb (used with object)

1. to deposit as sediment.

verb (used without object)

1. to form or deposit sediment.

sediment British  

/ ˌsɛdɪˈmɛntəs, ˈsɛdɪmənt /

noun

1. matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid

2. material that has been deposited from water, ice, or wind

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sediment Scientific  

/ sĕd′ə-mənt /

1. Geology Solid fragmented material, such as silt, sand, gravel, chemical precipitates, and fossil fragments, that is transported and deposited by water, ice, or wind or that accumulates through chemical precipitation or secretion by organisms, and that forms layers on the Earth's surface. Sedimentary rocks consist of consolidated sediment.

2. Particles of solid matter that settle out of a suspension to the bottom of the liquid.

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Other Word Forms

• sedimentous adjective
• self-sedimented adjective

Etymology

Origin of sediment

1540–50; < Latin sedimentum, equivalent to sedi- (combining form of sedēre to sit ¹, settle) + -mentum -ment

Example Sentences

Mudstone forms from fine grained sediment that once settled in water, suggesting the area may have hosted lakes billions of years ago.

From Science Daily

Each layer represents a single year of sediment buildup, offering a year by year archive of ancient climate conditions.

From Science Daily

These sediments preserve natural chemical signals that record past environmental conditions.

From Science Daily

They concentrated on ferrihydrite, a mineral commonly found near plant roots and in soils or sediments rich in organic material.

From Science Daily

It also affects seawater chemistry and contributes to the formation of sediments that scientists use to study past climates.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• debris
• powder
• silt
• trash
• waste