sediment
SED-uh-ment
ˈsɛdɪmənt
Matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid; dregs. In geology, solid material that is moved and deposited in a new location.
In geology, it refers to eroded material (like sand, silt, pebbles) that is transported by wind, water, or ice and then deposited, eventually forming sedimentary rock.
The story behind the word. The word "sediment" traces its roots back to the Latin word "sedimentum," meaning "a settling" or "a sinking down." This perfectly captures the essence of sediment: particles of material that, through the action of gravity or water, settle and accumulate at the bottom of a liquid or on a surface. It's the stuff that just can't stay suspended!
Word relationships
- silt: Fine granular material, often carried by water.
- sludge: Thick, soft, wet mud or a similar viscous mixture.
- residue: What remains after a part is removed.
Commonly confused with
- stratum: Sediment is the loose material that settles, while a stratum is the hardened layer of rock formed from compacted sediment.
Word family
- sedimentary (adjective): Formed from sediment.
- sedimentation (noun): The process of depositing sediment.
Collocations
- river sediment
- marine sediment
- glacial sediment
- fine sediment
- accumulate sediment
Example sentences
- "Over millennia, the river deposited vast amounts of sediment, creating a fertile delta." Explaining river processes.
- "The water filter effectively removed the fine sediment, leaving clear drinking water." Water purification.
Memory hook
'SED-uh-ment' sounds like 'said-a-mint,' as if a mint dropped and settled at the bottom of your drink. Settling stuff
When not to use
Don't use it for solid rock itself, but rather the loose material that becomes rock.
Fun facts
- Sedimentary rocks, formed from compacted sediment, cover about 75% of the Earth's land surface.
Related words
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