alluvion

UK: /əˈluːvɪən/ US: (ə lo̅o̅′vē ən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

al•lu•vi•on  (ə lo̅o̅′vē ən), n. 

1. Law a gradual increase of land on a shore or a river bank by the action of water, whether from natural or artificial causes.
2. overflow;
   flood.
3. Geology, Slang Terms [Now Rare.] alluvium.

• Latin alluviōn- (stem of alluviō an overflowing), equivalent. to al- al- + -luv-, base of -luere, combining form of lavere to wash) + -iōn- -ion
• 1530–40

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

alluvion / əˈluːvɪən/ noun

1. the wash of the sea or of a river
2. an overflow or flood
3. matter deposited as sediment; alluvium
4. the gradual formation of new land, as by the recession of the sea or deposit of sediment on a riverbed

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin alluviō an overflowing, from luere to wash