sediment n : matter deposited by some natural process [syn: deposit] v
1. deposit as a sediment
2. settle as sediment

Sediment \Sed"i*ment\, n. [F. s['e]diment, L. sedimentum a settling, fr. sedere to sit, to settle. See Sit.]
1. The matter which subsides to the bottom, frrom water or any other liquid; settlings; lees; dregs.
2. (Geol.) The material of which sedimentary rocks are formed.

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Sediment is naturally-occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of fluids such as wind, water, or ice, and/or by the force of gravity acting on the particle itself.

Sediments are most often transported by water (fluvial processes) transported by wind (aeolian processes) and glaciers. Beach sands and river channel deposits are examples of fluvial transport and deposition, though sediment also often settles out of slow-moving or standing water in lakes and oceans. Desert sand dunes and loess are examples of aeolian transport and deposition. Glacial moraine deposits and till are ice transported sediments.

Sediment can be classified based on its grain size and/or its composition.

Sediment size is measured on a log base 2 scale, called the "Phi" scale, which classifies particles by size from "colloid" to "boulder".

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