Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

embankment

American  
[em-bangk-muhnt] / ɛmˈbæŋk mənt /

noun

  • embankments
    plural
  1. a bank, mound, dike, or the like, raised to hold back water, carry a roadway, etc.

  2. the action of embanking.


embankment British  
/ ɪmˈbæŋkmənt /

noun

  1. a man-made ridge of earth or stone that carries a road or railway or confines a waterway See also levee 1

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of embankment

First recorded in 1780–90; embank + -ment


Vocabulary lists containing embankment

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He was in the back seat of a Land Rover when it careened over an embankment and plunged down a hill.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

The 2008 Kosi disaster shows why: the river was carrying far less water than the embankment was designed to handle.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Whether a given flow becomes a disaster depends on conditions in India as much as in Nepal the Ganges' level, Indian rainfall, embankment integrity, drainage and sediment.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

A California airman died Thursday after the heavy machinery he was operating rolled down an embankment at a military base, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

At the foot of the embankment, Ross Wilcox’d already got to his feet.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

The founder of intelligence analysis firm MAIAR, Tony Reeves, analysed satellite images and estimated that one section of the embankments in Gaza was up to 7m tall.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

"Due to the impact of persistent heavy rainfall and the prolonged passage of floodwaters at high levels, the safety of reservoirs and embankments in the affected areas faces a severe test," he added.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

"Due to the impact of persistent heavy rainfall and the prolonged passage of floodwaters at high levels, the safety of reservoirs and embankments in the affected areas faces a severe test," he said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026

"The problem is if you start digging out embankments, which kingfishers use as their main habitats, they will completely avoid this area", he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2025

They walked along the granite embankments of the Neva, past the magnificent Admiralty building and its proud white columns, its countless statues and friezes depicting figures from myths and ancient times.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com