embankment

noun

em·​bank·​ment im-ˈbaŋk-mənt 

1

: a raised structure (as of earth or gravel) used especially to hold back water or to carry a roadway

2

: the action of embanking

Synonyms of embankment

• levee
• dam

Examples of embankment in a Sentence

the embankment is steep, so be careful walking along the ridge

Recent Examples on the Web

Cortney said Park's body was then pushed down an embankment and covered with leaves, and that the fetus was placed in a cooler, then a trash bag, before being thrown into a dumpster. —Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Additional camera footage captured her walking toward the river embankment. —Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025

In the parking lot, the man crashed into two vehicles, sending one over an embankment. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

In Prague, large concrete blocks have been placed along popular embankments and around key foot-traffic areas, while police have increased patrols to monitor potential targets. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

embankment

noun

em·​bank·​ment im-ˈbaŋk-mənt 

: a raised bank or wall to carry a roadway, prevent floods, or hold back water