Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

sludge

Noun

/slʌdʒ/

Definition

A thick, soft, wet mixture of solid and liquid substances, often the byproduct of industrial processes or wastewater treatment.

Examples

The factory’s wastewater contained large amounts of sludge that needed to be treated before disposal.
After heavy rainfall, the river was filled with sludge and debris.
He had to wade through the sludge to reach the other side of the marsh.

Meaning

Sludge typically refers to the semi-solid material that accumulates in certain types of mechanical operations like sewage treatment or during the production of certain chemicals. It can contain a mix of various materials and often has a muddy or viscous texture.