Word
sediment
Phoneticssed·i·ment, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɛdəmənt/
UK/sˈɛdɪmənt/
Definitions
01settled particles
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. solid material, such as sand or mud, that sinks to the bottom of a liquid.
n. particulate matter that precipitates from a suspension and settles at the base of a liquid body.
“There was a thick layer of sediment at the bottom of the old wine bottle.”
“The laboratory analysis revealed that the sediment contained high levels of heavy metals, suggesting recent industrial contamination upstream.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the substance generally; countable when referring to specific layers or types.
02geological deposits
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. sand, stones, and mud carried by water or wind that eventually forms new land or rock.
n. naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of wind, water, or ice.
“The river carries sediment from the mountains down to the sea.”
“Over millions of years, the accumulation of river sediment in the delta created a vast, fertile plain suitable for intensive agriculture.”
Usage
Often used in the context of erosion and rock formation.
Synonyms
03to settle or deposit
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
v. to sink to the bottom of a liquid and form a solid layer.
v. to deposit or be deposited as a solid residue from a liquid suspension.
“The fine dust will eventually sediment if you leave the water still for a few hours.”
“The mixture was left in the tank to sediment overnight before the clear liquid was siphoned off for the next stage of the process.”
Usage
Can be used transitively (to sediment something) or intransitively (to sediment).
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “sediment” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Ancient soils gave way to coarser river deposits, suggesting that the loss of canopy altered how water and sediment moved through the basin.” “Another 400 gigatonnes are stored in ocean sediments and river deltas.” Etymology
From Middle French sédiment, from Latin sedimentum < sedeō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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