* Abrasion: Waves *do* erode land through abrasion. This is the process where the force of the waves carries sand, pebbles, and other debris along the coastline, grinding away at the rock and land. Think of it like sandpaper slowly wearing down wood.
* Deposition: Waves *also* deposit sediment, but this is more about building up land rather than eroding it. Deposition happens when waves lose energy and drop the sediment they were carrying. This can lead to the formation of beaches, sandbars, and other coastal features.
So, the key takeaway is:
* Waves erode land through abrasion.
* Waves build up land through deposition.
It's important to understand that both processes are happening simultaneously, and the overall impact on the coastline depends on the balance between erosion and deposition.