What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lees
Example
The winemaker carefully removed the lees from the barrel before bottling the wine. [lees: noun]
Example
After brewing the tea, the lees settled at the bottom of the cup. [lees: plural noun]
sediment
Example
The river was polluted with sediment from nearby construction sites. [sediment: noun]
Example
The geologist studied the sediment layers to learn about the earth's history. [sediment: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sediment is more commonly used than lees in everyday language, as it has a broader application and is not limited to wine-making. Lees is a more specialized term and is mainly used in the context of wine-making.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lees and sediment?
Both lees and sediment are formal terms that are commonly used in technical or scientific contexts. However, sediment is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while lees is mainly used in the wine-making industry and may not be familiar to non-experts.
