Dictionary.com

sedimentary

[ sed-uh-men-tuh-ree ]
/ ˌsɛd əˈmɛn tə ri /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for sedimentary on Thesaurus.com
adjective
of, relating to, or of the nature of sediment.
Geology. formed by the deposition of sediment, as certain rocks.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT
Sometimes sed·i·men·tal [sed-uh-men-tl] /ˌsɛd əˈmɛn tl/ .

Origin of sedimentary

First recorded in 1820–30; sediment + -ary

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-/, adverbun·sed·i·men·tar·i·ly, adverbun·sed·i·men·ta·ry, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to sedimentary

confused, dark, dense, heavy, impure, muddled, muddy, murky, obscure, polluted, roily, thick, unclear, unsettled

British Dictionary definitions for sedimentary

sedimentary
/ (ˌsɛdɪˈmɛntərɪ) /
adjective
characteristic of, resembling, or containing sediment
(of rocks) formed by the accumulation and consolidation of mineral and organic fragments that have been deposited by water, ice, or windCompare 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-mĕn′tə-rē ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK