embankment

noun

em·​bank·​ment im-ˈbaŋk-mənt How to pronounce embankment (audio)
Synonyms of embankmentnext
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

Examples of embankment in a Sentence

the embankment is steep, so be careful walking along the ridge
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The car went through a guardrail, hit an electrical line pole, rolled down an embankment and caught fire. Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 An agent fires toward the vehicle as the car drives over a center embankment. Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026 Westbound Highway 50 was shut down for an extended time as crews removed the vehicle from the embankment. Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 Hikers found the woman's body about a month later, down an embankment just off a mountain road. Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for embankment

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of embankment was in 1786

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Embankment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embankment. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

embankment

noun
em·​bank·​ment im-ˈbaŋk-mənt How to pronounce embankment (audio)
: a raised bank or wall to carry a roadway, prevent floods, or hold back water

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