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

Rogers was allegedly evasive when asked how his truck had gone off the road and down an embankment and started to walk away from the trooper toward a nearby picnic table with a crossbow and several arrows on it, state police said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

Authorities said Roberts fell to his death from a steep embankment. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026

In August that same year, a 57-year-old hiker from Los Angeles County reportedly drove his car off a steep embankment. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2026

Police said security camera footage showed that Alisa Goods had fallen down an embankment and collapsed and couldn’t be seen from the adjacent roadway, Wayne Newton Boulevard. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026

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