sediment - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
sediment Word Meanings
- solid material that settles at the bottom of a liquid
- particles carried by water or air
- the process of deposition of these particles
sediment Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
sediment Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈsɛdɪmənt/
US
/ˈsɛdɪmənt/
sediment Word Etymology
From Latin 'sedimentum' (through 'sediment' in Old French) = 'sedi-' (to sit) + '-ment' (result of) → means the result of settling. Imagine a riverbed where sand and dirt settle below the water, creating layers you can see when the water recedes.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Sediment refers to solid material that settles out of a liquid or a gas, often transporting particles from soil, silt, sand, or organic debris. In nature, rivers and oceans continually carry sediment, which drops out when flow slows or the water cools, gradually building up layers on the bottom or along the banks. Sediment also describes the process of deposition itself: the particles become a distinct layer as they accumulate and become compacted over time, potentially forming soils, mudflats, or eventually sedimentary rocks. Understanding sediment helps explain landscapes, lake formation, and the history recorded in rock layers.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: sediment is the solid material that settles; don’t confuse with rock; use plural when talking about multiple particles; deposition is the process; sediment can be organic; colloquial use differs from scientific terms.
Common Misconceptions
- Sediment is the same as sedimentary rock.
- All sediment comes only from rivers.
- Sediment is always loose dirt and cannot be organic.
- Sedimentation happens quickly.
- Sediment always stays at the very bottom and never moves.
Thinking Differences
In English, sediment is often treated as both material and process; learners frequently mix up sediment with rock or confuse deposition with erosion. Emphasize the separation between the material (sediment) and the act of deposition (deposition).
Learning Tips
- Visualize with water flow diagrams showing particles moving and settling.
- Compare sediment with rock by thinking about time scales.
- Practice with plural forms: sediments, sedimentary deposits.
- Use 'deposit' for the process; 'sediment' for the material.
- Learn common collocations: sediment transport, sediment deposition, sediment layer.
- Read about real-world examples like river deltas and lake beds.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'sediment'?
A.Liquid
B.Vapor
C.Gas
D.Solid particles that settle at the bottom of a liquid
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is 'sediment' used correctly?
A.She drank a glass of sediment.
B.He blew away the sediment with a fan.
C.The sediment settled at the bottom of the river.
D.The bird flew over the sediment.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which of the following words is most similar to 'sediment'?
A.Mist
B.Vapor
C.Sludge
D.Gust
Step 4: Opposite Words
What would be the opposite of 'sediment'?
A.Clean water
B.Disperse
C.Erode
D.Evaporate
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life situation would you most likely encounter 'sediment'?
A.Cooking pasta
B.Reading a book
C.Examining a soil sample
D.Studying for an exam
Related Listening
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Small Samples, Big Problems: Microplastics in Sediment
Environment & Pollution
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