sediment

noun

sed·i·ment | \ˈse-də-mənt

Definition of sediment

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid

2 : material deposited by water, wind, or glaciers

sediment

verb

sed·i·ment | \ˈse-də-ˌment

sedimented; sedimenting; sediments

Definition of sediment (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to deposit as sediment

intransitive verb

1 : to settle to the bottom in a liquid

2 : to deposit sediment

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about sediment

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Synonyms & Antonyms for sediment

Synonyms: Noun

deposit, deposition, dregs, grounds, precipitate, settlings

Synonyms: Verb

lay, settle

Antonyms: Verb

raise

Examples of sediment in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

the water flowing into the reservoir is sedimenting silt faster than was originally expected

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The strength of the rock, cliff height, sediment composition, the slope of the beach, the slope of the seafloor, wave action, human intervention and other variables come with their own uncertainties. — Rosanna Xia, latimes.com, "Southern California's coastal communities could lose 130 feet of cliffs this century as sea levels rise," 27 June 2018 Construction will include grading, erosion control, removal and replacement of curb and gutter, backfilling, and sediment removal. — Karen Huppertz, ajc, "Lawrenceville approves emergency replacement of Thornbush Tr. culvert," 11 June 2018 Flatland consultant David Heilman recommended the riffle modification, which involves installing a sloping stepping stone system that mimics the elevation of the dam, but allows fish and sediment to wash over it. — Carole Carlson, Post-Tribune, "Lake Station dam option retains river culture," 16 May 2018 Environmental agencies on Friday were investigating why workers at a construction site were pumping a slurry of water and sediment directly into the Chicago River, creating a cloudy plume beneath the Randolph Street bridge. — Peter Kendall, chicagotribune.com, "Caught on camera: Worker pumps slurry into Chicago River, and now regulators are investigating," 15 June 2018 According to the United States Geological Survey's website, sinkholes are most common when the land below the surface is a type of sediment easily dissolved by groundwater, such as limestone, carbonate rock or salt beds. — Julian Gill, Houston Chronicle, "Sewage leaks likely a factor in Houston sinkholes, expert says," 10 July 2018 The crew of the EV Nautilus used underwater robots equipped with a suction tube to slurp up samples of sediment. — Sandi Doughton, The Seattle Times, "Meteorite search off the Washington coast recovers two small fragments," 3 July 2018 Scientists hope the oysters will survive and filter sediment and pollutants from the river and create food and habitat for other creatures. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "Man-made oyster reef near Key Bridge 'flourishing,' Chesapeake Bay Foundation says," 28 June 2018 The money will be used to dredge the harbor, where a great deal of sediment has accumulated. — BostonGlobe.com, "A craft-making class, honors for a school’s past graduates, and a harbor cleanup," 22 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The cores, presented here today at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, were captured at the farthest extent of the ash’s reach, recorded as wisps of tephra in finely sedimented, ancient mud uplifted near the ocean floor. — Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, "Yellowstone’s massive volcano could erupt more frequently than scientists thought," 25 Oct. 2017

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.