2
: a muddy or slushy mass, deposit, or sediment: such as
a
: precipitated solid matter produced by water and sewage treatment processes
b
: muddy sediment in a steam boiler
c
: a precipitate or settling (such as a mixture of impurities and acid) from a mineral oil
3
Examples of sludge in a Sentence
after a day of heavy rain, the fairgrounds had turned into pure sludge
I can't bring myself to read that sludge.
Recent Examples on the Web
Inline water filters can be installed and are widely used to trap dirt, debris, and sludge.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
3 July 2026
This brings us to the point that while the project focused on coffee grounds, the technology can be applied to a wide range of high-moisture organic waste, including food waste, agricultural residues, and even sewage sludge.
—
New Atlas,
1 July 2026
After removing the carcasses, spray the surface with a garden hose or pressure washer to remove wings and other insect parts, sludge, and stains.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
29 June 2026
The 29-year-old has arrived at Rolling Stone’s office in distressed cutoff denim shorts and custom boots self-designed to look like she’s been trekking through sludge à la Kate Moss at Glastonbury 2005.
—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sludge
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
3 July 2026
This brings us to the point that while the project focused on coffee grounds, the technology can be applied to a wide range of high-moisture organic waste, including food waste, agricultural residues, and even sewage sludge.
—
New Atlas,
1 July 2026
After removing the carcasses, spray the surface with a garden hose or pressure washer to remove wings and other insect parts, sludge, and stains.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
29 June 2026
The 29-year-old has arrived at Rolling Stone’s office in distressed cutoff denim shorts and custom boots self-designed to look like she’s been trekking through sludge à la Kate Moss at Glastonbury 2005.
—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sludge
Cite this Entry
“Sludge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sludge. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
sludge
1 of 2 noun
: a semisolid precipitated mass or deposit
biliary sludge
especially
: sludged blood
sludge
2 of 2 intransitive verb
sludged; sludging
: to form sludge
positions that cause blood to sludge—L. K. Altman
L. K. AltmanLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
