silt

[ silt ]

noun

1. earthy matter, fine sand, or the like carried by moving or running water and deposited as a sediment.

verb (used without object)

1. to become filled or choked up with silt.

verb (used with object)

1. to fill or choke up with silt.

silt

/ sɪlt /

noun

1. a fine deposit of mud, clay, etc, esp one in a river or lake

verb

1. usually foll by up to fill or become filled with silt; choke

silt

/ sĭlt /

1. A sedimentary material consisting of grains or particles of disintegrated rock, smaller than sand and larger than clay. The diameter of the particles ranges from 0.0039 to 0.0625 mm. Silt is often found at the bottom of bodies of water where it accumulates slowly by settling through the water.

Derived Forms

• silˈtation, noun
• ˈsilty, adjective

Other Words From

• sil·tation noun
• silty adjective
• de·silt verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of silt¹

1400–50; late Middle English cylte gravel, perhaps originally salty deposit; compare Old English unsylt unsalted, unseasoned, sylting seasoning, syltan to salt, season, Norwegian sylt salty swamp, German Sülze salt marsh, brine

Word History and Origins

Origin of silt¹

C15: of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian, Danish sylt salt marsh; related to Old High German sulza salt marsh; see salt

Example Sentences

Flowing water covers them in thin blankets of silt.

From Los Angeles Times

His careful movements through the delicate layer of silt and algae at the lake’s bottom ensured a clear view.

From BBC

Silt will be removed from the lake and a new boardwalk installed.

From BBC

Five years later, rains cleaned out the silt.

From Los Angeles Times

Domestic items were deposited into the river silt after the settlement caught fire, where they remained until they were excavated eight years ago.

From BBC

Related Words

• residue
• sand