What is the term for sedimentary rock that forms in distinct horizontal layers?

The term for sedimentary rock that forms in distinct horizontal layers is bedding. Bedding refers specifically to the layering that develops as sediments accumulate over time, with newer layers being deposited on top of older layers. This process creates a series of parallel layers, which can vary in thickness, composition, and color depending on the conditions of deposition.

Stratification is a broader concept that describes the arrangement of sediments into distinct layers or beds but is often used interchangeably with bedding. However, bedding specifically emphasizes the horizontal alignment of those layers, making it the more appropriate term in this context.

Folding refers to the process where rock layers are bent or warped due to tectonic forces, and weathering describes the breaking down of rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface due to various agents like water, air, and biological activity. These concepts are related to geology but do not define the layered structure characteristic of sedimentary rocks like bedding does.