earthwork

noun earth·work \ ˈərth-ˌwərk \

Updated on: 7 Apr 2018

Definition of earthwork

1 : an embankment or other construction made of earth; especially : one used as a field fortification

2 : the operations connected with excavations and embankments of earth

3 : a work of art consisting of a portion of land modified by an artist

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Recent Examples of earthwork from the Web

Experts believe that the earthworks were probably constructed during seasonal droughts, enabling the forests to be cleared.

— james rogers, Fox News, "Amazing Amazon discovery: 'Uninhabited' areas were once home to a million people," 28 Mar. 2018
Piperno was skeptical that the region's pre-Columbian population was really so large, and pointed to previous studies showing that fewer people were needed to construct these earthworks than was previously believed.

— sarah kaplan, chicagotribune.com, "Archaeologists discover 81 ancient settlements in the Amazon," 27 Mar. 2018
Remnants of this period on Sapelo still resonate in the foundation stones, earthworks and with the Sapelonians themselves.

— brett mcnish, Smithsonian, "A Smithsonian Horticulturist Goes on a Quest for an Historic Seedling," 15 Feb. 2018
The black-and-white photograph of the blast, with earthworks catapulted skyward, looks like a scene from the Great War in Europe.

— susan scott parrish, Smithsonian, "The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 Laid Bare the Divide Between the North and the South," 11 Apr. 2017
The countryside of the British Isles is dotted with hill forts, earthworks usually on top of hills that were used in the first millennium B.C. by Bronze and Iron Age Britons.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Explore Ancient British Isles Hill Forts with a New Online Atlas," 23 June 2017
There has been some controversy over when they were formed, with some reports estimating the earthworks to be around 8,000 years old, and others pegging them closer to 2,800 years old.

— jennifer nalewicki, Smithsonian, "Where to See Five of the Planet’s Most Mysterious Geoglyphs," 20 Apr. 2017
Though reminiscent of artistic earthworks, these stunning structures are actually ancient tidal fish traps, used for centuries in Taiwan to feed the local community.

— jennifer billock, Smithsonian, "These Massive Land Art Constructions Are Actually Ancient Fishing Weirs," 13 Sep. 2017
Instead, these earthworks were likely places of gathering for people to feast and trade.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Explore Ancient British Isles Hill Forts with a New Online Atlas," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'earthwork.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of earthwork

1633

EARTHWORK Defined for English Language Learners

earthwork

noun

Definition of earthwork for English Language Learners

: a raised bank or wall made of soil

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earthwork

Definition of earthwork

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