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

One of America’s oldest plantations, Magnolia was established in the 1670s as a rice plantation featuring extensive dikes and earthworks built by enslaved Africans with a link to the Gullah culture. —Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025

When early earthworks began on the soccer fields, archaeologists uncovered graves, pits and ditches, according to the post. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025

In 2024, significant developments included the installation of new offices and major earthworks at the Wardner operating yard, as well as the construction of the Process Plant at the Kellogg yard. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025

The latest images, captured by Maxar Technologies, reveal heavy machinery still in place, additional earthwork and signs that tunnel entrances may have been deliberately sealed off before the strikes. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025

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