Definition of sedimentnext
as in to settle
to cause to come to rest at the bottom (as of a liquid) the water flowing into the reservoir is sedimenting silt faster than was originally expected

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as in silt
matter that settles to the bottom of a body of liquid the sediment at the bottom of the river needs to be routinely dredged so that it doesn't interfere with barge traffic

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sediment
Verb
It’s really sedimented and entangled. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 10 June 2026 The team observed the octopuses launch objects and sediment several body lengths away. — Corryn Wetzel, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Sep. 2021
Noun
These areas have collectively met 100% of their goal for sediment reduction, 90% of their goal for phosphorus reduction, and 57% of their goal for nitrogen reduction, according to Wednesday's statement. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026 Shower filters are better at reducing substances like chlorine, sediment and certain metals. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sediment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sediment
Verb
  • Let enthusiasm show you what deserves more energy after the excitement settles.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The dinner capped a long, but friendly, day of meetings and celebrations, as the world’s two most powerful leaders seek to settle trade differences while simultaneously thawing the icy relationship between the United States and China.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • An external pre-filter head blocks silt and large particles before water is drawn into a layer filtration structure.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Its bottom is lined with soft, soupy silt that makes traditional bridge pillars impossible.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Every Washington Nationals player filtered into the news conference room at Nationals Park on Friday afternoon, taking their seats among Cade Cavalli’s family, team ownership and staff members.
    — Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Because the platform focuses on older adults, users do not have to begin by filtering through the full age range found on a mainstream service.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Tatsuo Enami, President and CEO of Gigaphoton, pointed out that reliable thin-film deposition has broad industrial value.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Kosowski allegedly confronted Cozzi in the law office bathroom months earlier, on a break during a tense deposition for the civil case.
    — Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In 1882, major silver deposits were discovered in the Red Mountain Mining District, south of Ouray.
    — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Like the wavy structures of a coral reef, layered deposits in the Arabia Terra region of Mars showcase the planet's strange beauty and even stranger past.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Acid can be used to leach elements like calcium out, then a chemical or energetic process precipitates that calcium as calcium hydroxide.
    — Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
  • One such innovative solution is to utilize the natural ability of microbes to precipitate minerals.
    — Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sediment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sediment. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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