What coastal feature is created from the deposition of sediment along the shoreline?

A spit is a coastal feature that is formed by the deposition of sediment along the shoreline. This process occurs when longshore drift transports sand and other materials along the coast, leading to the accumulation of sediment in a protruding formation that extends from the mainland into the water. Spits are often characterized by their shape, which resembles a narrow landform that enters a body of water, creating a sheltered area behind them.

In contrast, a lagoon is a body of water separated from the ocean or a larger body of water by a barrier such as a spit or a barrier island, but it is not directly formed by deposition. Dunes refer to mounds of sand formed by wind, typically found inland or on the beach, rather than being a feature directly related to sediment deposition along the shoreline itself. Cliffs, on the other hand, are formed through processes of erosion, such as wave action, rather than deposition. Thus, spit is the feature that specifically results from the deposition of sediment at the coastline.