embankment

noun

em·​bank·​ment im-ˈbaŋk-mənt How to pronounce embankment (audio)
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 came to stop on its wheels facing south on a dirt embankment. Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024 The latest death involved a man who drove a car off a steep embankment on Aug. 1 after taking a one-mile circular hike at the park. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 Advertisement The driver was an older person who lost control of their vehicle on a nearby embankment and had minor injuries, said watch commander Lt. Rony Del Pinto of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 The incident happened at 3:45 p.m. Monday on a creek embankment adjacent to the 2000 block of East Bayshore Road, the Palo Alto Police Department said in a statement. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near embankment

Cite this Entry

“Embankment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embankment. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on embankment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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