Definition of silt
1 : loose sedimentary material with rock particles usually 1⁄20 millimeter or less in diameter; also : soil containing 80 percent or more of such silt and less than 12 percent of clay
2 : a deposit of sediment (as by a river)
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of silt
Middle English cylte, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect sylt beach flooded at high tide; akin to Old High German sulza salt marsh, Old English sealt salt
First Known Use: 15th century
Other Geology Terms
anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, swale
silt
Definition of silt
intransitive verb
: to become choked or obstructed with silt —often used with up the channel silted up
transitive verb
: to choke, fill, cover, or obstruct with silt or mud
Examples of silt in a Sentence
The entrance to the creek had silted shut.
1799
First Known Use of silt
1799
Other Geology Terms
anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale
SILT Defined for English Language Learners
silt
playDefinition of silt for English Language Learners
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: sand, soil, mud, etc., that is carried by flowing water and that sinks to the bottom of a river, pond, etc.
silt
Definition of silt for English Language Learners
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: to become blocked, filled, or covered with silt
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: to block, fill, or cover (something) with silt
SILT Defined for Kids
Definition of silt for Students
1 : particles of small size left as sediment from water
2 : a soil made up mostly of silt and containing little clay
Definition of silt for Students
silted
;silting
: to fill, cover, or block with silt
Learn More about silt
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See words that rhyme with silt Spanish Central: Translation of silt Nglish: Translation of silt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of silt for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about silt
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