Definition of sediment
1 : the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid
2 : material deposited by water, wind, or glaciers
From the M-W Editors
Examples of sediment in a Sentence
There was a layer of sediment in the bottom of the tank.
the sediment at the bottom of the river needs to be routinely dredged so that it doesn't interfere with barge traffic
Recent Examples of sediment from the Web
-
But skeptics suggested that the 1500 tools and other artifacts could have drifted downward over time in the sandy sediments or that animals or termites had disrupted the layers.
-
According to the technicians, every time the water goes above 5,000 cubic feet per second, a massive amount of sediment is pushed through, drastically changing everything.
-
A report from the scientists on the EPA program managing bay cleanup found that the reservoir behind the dam has filled with sediment a lot quicker than predicted.
-
Scientists say rising seas could flood riverbanks by midcentury, and potential increases in stormwater runoff and downstream flows could bore into sediment and release toxins sealed below.
-
In addition, the legislation that still needs Kasich’s signature also will pave the way to finding new uses for tons of sediment dredged from shipping channels along the lake.
-
The vacant land, wedged between the Carlsbad mall and the highway, was created in the early 1970s with sediment dredged from the lagoon.
-
The sediment trapped in the tube provides a clear chronology of the past, with layers of sand and mud being added over the millennia.
-
Using extremely sensitive sonar machines, the LSU team was able to find an area with large numbers of trees that were still entirely buried in layers of sediment.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sediment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of sediment
Latin sedimentum settling, from sedēre to sit, sink down
Other Geology Terms
anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale
Definition of sediment
transitive verb
: to deposit as sediment
intransitive verb
1 : to settle to the bottom in a liquid
2 : to deposit sediment
Examples of sediment in a Sentence
the water flowing into the reservoir is sedimenting silt faster than was originally expected
First Known Use of sediment
1859
Other Geology Terms
anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale
SEDIMENT Defined for English Language Learners
sediment
playDefinition of sediment for English Language Learners
-
: material that sinks to the bottom of a liquid
-
: material (such as stones and sand) that is carried into water by water, wind, etc.
SEDIMENT Defined for Kids
sediment
playDefinition of sediment for Students
1 : the material from a liquid that settles to the bottom
2 : material (as stones and sand) carried onto land or into water by water, wind, or a glacier
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of sediment
: the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid
Medical Definition of sediment
: to deposit as sediment the synaptosomes were sedimented by centrifugation
1
intransitive verb
: to settle to the bottom in a liquid let the red blood cells sediment for 30 minutes2: to deposit sediment
Learn More about sediment
-
See words that rhyme with sediment Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sediment Spanish Central: Translation of sediment Nglish: Translation of sediment for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sediment for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sediment
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up sediment? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!