Silted: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when describing a waterway or area that has slowly become clogged with fine particles over time.

• The river became silted after years of sediment build-up.
• The silted harbor made it difficult for boats to dock.

Useful when emphasizing that silt has completely filled or occupied a particular space, usually less permanent than 'silted'.

• The pond was filled with silt, requiring a clean-up to restore it.
• The reservoir had become filled with silt, reducing its capacity.

Appropriate for describing a situation where an obstruction has occurred due to the accumulation of particles, often in a more immediate or noticeable way.

• The drainage pipe was blocked with sediment, causing water to overflow.
• The canal was blocked with sediment after the recent flood.