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

• dam
• dike
• head
• levee

Examples of embankment in a Sentence

the embankment is steep, so be careful walking along the ridge

Recent Examples on the Web

Officers found Sharkey’s car, a white 2019 Chevrolet Spark, at the bottom of an embankment on the side of the highway. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025

The man and his dog spent the night trapped in the wreck in the woods about 30 feet down an embankment from the highway, the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025

Police found Best's black Chevy SUV parked down an embankment. —Kc Baker, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025

Callers told police the driver involved was traveling very fast and had gone down an embankment after rear-ending a vehicle. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2025

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