alluvium

[ uh-loo-vee-uh m ]
/ əˈlu vi əm /

noun, plural al·lu·vi·ums, al·lu·vi·a [uh-loo-vee-uh] /əˈlu vi ə/.

a deposit of sand, mud, etc., formed by flowing water.
the sedimentary matter deposited thus within recent times, especially in the valleys of large rivers.

Origin of alluvium

1655–65; < Latin, noun use of neuter of alluvius washed against, equivalent to alluv- (see alluvion) + -ius, -ium adj. suffix; see -ium

Example sentences from the Web for alluvium

British Dictionary definitions for alluvium

alluvium
/ (əˈluːvɪəm) /

noun plural -viums or -via (-vɪə)

a fine-grained fertile soil consisting of mud, silt, and sand deposited by flowing water on flood plains, in river beds, and in estuaries

Word Origin for alluvium

C17: from Latin; see alluvion

Scientific definitions for alluvium

alluvium
[ ə-lōōvē-əm ]

Plural alluviums alluvia

Sand, silt, clay, gravel, or other matter deposited by flowing water, as in a riverbed, floodplain, delta, or alluvial fan. Alluvium is generally considered a young deposit in terms of geologic time.

Other words from alluvium

alluvial adjective