MEANING
Loose sediment deposited by flowing water, including sand, silt, clay, and gravel.
Use it for
Floodplains, river terraces, and layers left by changing channels.Connect the ground's composition to past water movement.
Words that belong together
- river alluvium
- fertile alluvium
- alluvial deposits
On the page
The orchard rooted in deep alluvium beside the river.
A cut in the bank exposed several layers of alluvium.
Fresh alluvium covered the bend after the flood.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- alluvium
Usage notes
Primary category: environment. Geological term; refers to the deposited material, not every riverbank or underwater sediment. Usually a mass noun; technical plurals: alluvia, alluviums. Derived adjective: alluvial.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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