silt

American  

[silt] / sɪlt /

noun

1. earthy matter, fine sand, or the like carried by moving or running water and deposited as a sediment.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become filled or choked up with silt.

verb (used with object)

1. to fill or choke up with silt.

silt British  

/ sɪlt /

noun

1. a fine deposit of mud, clay, etc, esp one in a river or lake

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verb

1. (usually foll by up) to fill or become filled with silt; choke

silt Scientific  

/ sĭlt /

1. A sedimentary material consisting of grains or particles of disintegrated rock, smaller than sand and larger than clay. The diameter of the particles ranges from 0.0039 to 0.0625 mm. Silt is often found at the bottom of bodies of water where it accumulates slowly by settling through the water.

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Other Word Forms

• desilt
  verb (used with object)
• siltation
  noun
• silty
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of silt

1400–50; late Middle English cylte gravel, perhaps originally salty deposit; compare Old English unsylt unsalted, unseasoned, sylting seasoning, syltan to salt, season, Norwegian sylt salty swamp, German Sülze salt marsh, brine

Explanation

Silt is the fine bits of clay and sand that become sediment settling at the bottom of a river or lake. If there's a lot of silt flowing in a river, it looks murky. Silt is the super-fine dirt that you might see at the bottom of a lake or river. When your feet touch silt it feels slimy, and once it’s stirred it up the water looks muddy. Where the Mississippi River enters the Gulf of Mexico, a lot of silt has been deposited and over time has built up a portion of land called the Mississippi Delta. The region surrounding this accumulation of silt is home to music called the Delta Blues.

Example Sentences

Silt Police Chief Mike Kite confirmed to CBS News that an "active investigation" was under way but no further information was provided.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2024

Silt and debris still covered some roadways, and Gene Autry Trail remained barricaded.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2023

Silt accumulates in reservoirs as a result of the disruption of natural water flows.

From Reuters • Jan. 11, 2023

Silt is fine sand, clay or other material.

From Washington Post • Nov. 2, 2022

Silt swirled through empty courtyards with abalone floors.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• residue
• sand