noun

sediment

/ˈsɛdɪmənt/ · say it: SED·uh·muhnt

material that settles at the bottom of a liquid

In more detail

1. (noun) fine particles of rock, soil, or other material that are carried by water or wind and gradually settle at the bottom of a liquid

2. (noun) material that collects at the bottom of a container, especially in wine or coffee

Examples

Sediment from the river is carried downstream and deposited on the riverbank.
There was a thick layer of sediment at the bottom of the wine bottle.

How to use sediment

Sediment refers to solid particles that settle out of suspension in water or other liquids. It appears in both scientific contexts (geology, hydrology) and everyday usage (coffee grounds, wine dregs). The term is more technical than 'dregs' or 'deposit' but less specialized than 'precipitate'.

Common phrases

sediment settles
river sediment
fine sediment
sediment accumulates
sediment layers
sediment buildup

Synonyms

deposit · residue · silt · dregs · precipitate

Word family

sedimentary · sedimentation · sedimentological

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse sediment with sedation or assume it only applies to geological processes, when it commonly describes particles in drinks or containers.

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