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
Examples of embankment in a Sentence
the embankment is steep, so be careful walking along the ridge
Recent Examples on the Web
The impact caused the two front cars of the Alvia train to fall down a 13-foot embankment.
—
David Chiu, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
State police said the tanker truck overturned into a retention pond just off the highway and down an embankment.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Cars were also forced off the road and shoved into embankments.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
That second train, which was operated by Renfe, the national rail company of Spain, also derailed and was sent tumbling down a 13-foot embankment, officials say.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embankment
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David Chiu, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
State police said the tanker truck overturned into a retention pond just off the highway and down an embankment.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Cars were also forced off the road and shoved into embankments.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
That second train, which was operated by Renfe, the national rail company of Spain, also derailed and was sent tumbling down a 13-foot embankment, officials say.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embankment
Cite this Entry
“Embankment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embankment. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
embankment
noun
em·bank·ment
im-ˈbaŋk-mənt
: a raised bank or wall to carry a roadway, prevent floods, or hold back water
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