earthen

adjective

earth·​en ˈər-thən  -t͟hən 

1

: made of earth

2

: earthly

Examples of earthen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How levees work Levees are earthen embankments positioned parallel to a river that effectively raise the height of the banks of the river to prevent overflow when the river swells. — Kaleigh Yost, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

The earliest community members built Etowah mounds by first digging soil for the earthen platforms, then filling them with the remains of ritual feasts. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026

The landfill, a former marsh that is separated from San Francisco Bay by an earthen levee, first became an garbage dump in 1938. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Because the levee is earthen and porous, nearly 100 volunteers remained in Rocky Ripple on Sunday afternoon. — Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for earthen

• burthen

Kids Definition

earthen

adjective

earth·​en ˈər-thən  -t͟hən 

: made of earth or of baked clay

an earthen floor

earthen dishes