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

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

In the footage, a pair of fire special operations team members, hooked onto ropes, rappel down the cliff to where the dog stands on a small embankment. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Assam has invested heavily in embankments, erosion-control structures, flood walls and other engineering. — ABC News, 18 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