< Back
sediment
Definition
Sediment is a loose, solid material that is deposited by water, wind, or ice. Sediment can be made up of sand, silt, clay, or other materials.
Sediment is important because it helps to form rocks. Over time, sediment can be compacted and cemented together to form new rocks.
Sediment can also be used to learn about the past. By studying the types of sediment that are found in different places, scientists can learn about the history of the Earth.
How can the word be used?
The sediment at the bottom of the lake is made up of sand and gravel.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
- solid matter that is deposited by water, wind, or ice.
- a layer of sediment.
Verb:
- to deposit sediment.
- to become sediment.
Etymology
The word "sediment" comes from the Latin word "sedimentum", which means "that which settles".
The first recorded use of the word "sediment" in English was in the 14th century.
The word "sediment" is a Latin word, and it is related to the English word "settle".
Question
What is sediment?