sediment

1 of 2

noun

sed·​i·​ment ˈse-də-mənt How to pronounce sediment (audio)
1
: the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid
2
: material deposited by water, wind, or glaciers

sediment

2 of 2

verb

sed·​i·​ment ˈse-də-ˌment How to pronounce sediment (audio)
sedimented; sedimenting; sediments

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

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
Deep-sea sediments build in continuous layers during calm conditions but strong ocean currents disrupt this, leaving a visible stamp of their existence. Laura Paddison, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Wake boats have been known to disturb sediment at the bottom of lakes, which can disrupt plant life. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 20 Feb. 2024 Scientists say a second wall might also be preserved on the sea floor, buried beneath sediment. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 As a result, sediment and sand build up, reducing the ability to get boats to Lake Michigan. CBS News, 9 Feb. 2024 If turbidity becomes too high, meaning the water is clouded with sediment, EPA will pause work, Lasseter said. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2024 Salts are also present in industrial waste, sewage, fertilizers and sediment. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2024 By analyzing marine sediment cores extracted from beneath the ocean floor, researchers found the glacier began to significantly retreat in the 1940s, likely kicked off by a very strong El Niño event — a natural climate fluctuation which tends to have a warming impact. Laura Paddison, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 City records indicate Encinitas has spent more than $2 million on sediment removal from area drainage pipes and the Manchester outfall in recent years. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
The team observed the octopuses launch objects and sediment several body lengths away. Corryn Wetzel, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Sep. 2021 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, 25 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sediment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin sedimentum settling, from sedēre to sit, sink down

First Known Use

Noun

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1859, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of sediment was in 1547

Dictionary Entries Near sediment

Cite this Entry

“Sediment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sediment. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sediment

noun
sed·​i·​ment
ˈsed-ə-mənt
1
: the material from a liquid that settles to the bottom
2
: material (as stones and sand) deposited by water, wind, or glaciers
sediment
-ˌment
verb

Medical Definition

sediment

1 of 2 noun
sed·​i·​ment ˈsed-ə-mənt How to pronounce sediment (audio)
: the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid

sediment

2 of 2 transitive verb
sed·​i·​ment -ˌment How to pronounce sediment (audio)
: to deposit as sediment
the synaptosomes were sedimented by centrifugation

intransitive verb

1
: to settle to the bottom in a liquid
let the red blood cells sediment for 30 minutes
2
: to deposit sediment

More from Merriam-Webster on sediment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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