silt
This term describes the fine-grained mineral matter that settles out of water, creating a soft, muddy layer. It carries a connotation of gradual accumulation and natural deposition, often associated with riverbeds, deltas, and coastal estuaries.
As a noun, it is treated as an uncountable mass noun. It refers to the material itself rather than individual particles, meaning it does not have a plural form in standard usage and requires partitive phrases like "a layer of silt" or "deposits of silt" to specify quantity.
Meanings
Fine sand, clay, or other mineral particles carried by running water and deposited as a sediment.
The river delta is composed largely of silt.
Examples
The river delta is composed largely of silt.
The current silts the harbor, making it impassable for large ships.
The stream began to silt up after the heavy rains.
Phrasal Verbs
silt up
to become filled or clogged with sediment
The harbor has silted up over the last decade, making it impassable for large ships.