earthwork

noun

earth·​work ˈərth-ˌwərk 

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

Examples of earthwork in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Settlers there were finding thousands of ancient Native mounds and earthworks, some bafflingly large. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

As an earthwork with a wooden palisade, however, much less of Antonius’s wall has survived the ensuing millennia. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Sep. 2026

In Texas, Bedrock is working with Champion Site Prep on a multimillion-cubic-yard earthwork project. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

The scientists used cutting-edge airborne laser scanning technology and found hundreds of previously unknown earthworks. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for earthwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• falsework

Kids Definition

earthwork

noun

earth·​work -ˌwərk 

: something (as a raised bank or wall) constructed out of earth especially for protection