Sediment

Sediment

In Earth and planetary sciences, sediment is a solid material made of loose particles that is transported to a new location where it is deposited. It occurs naturally and, through the processes of weathering and erosion, is broken down and subsequently transported by the action of wind, water, or ice or by the force of gravity acting on the particles. For example, sand and silt can be carried in suspension in river water and on reaching the sea bed deposited by sedimentation; if buried, they may eventually become sandstone and siltstone through lithification.

sediment

Noun

1. A collection of small particles, particularly dirt, that precipitates from a river or other body of water.

Verb

1. To deposit material as a sediment.
2. To be deposited as a sediment.