embank

American  

[em-bangk] / ɛmˈbæŋk /

verb (used with object)

1. to enclose or protect with an embankment.

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embank British  

/ ɪmˈbæŋk /

verb

1. (tr) to protect, enclose, or confine (a waterway, road, etc) with an embankment

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Other Word Forms

• unembanked
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of embank

First recorded in 1640–50; em- ¹ + bank ¹

Example Sentences

"Is he empowered to pull down churches that he may use the stones to embank his drains?"

From The MS. in a Red Box by Hamilton, John Arthur

They excavated a space, to the depth of three or four feet, and used the earth they threw out to embank the walls raised upon the edge of the excavation.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 08, No. 49, November, 1861 by Various

It seemed so very odd that anybody should embank a roadway.

From She by Haggard, Henry Rider

A few attempts had been made to deepen and embank the natural streams, but with slender success.

From The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 1 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

Sir,—What are the authorities about that they do not at once embank the river on both sides up to Richmond, and span it with five bridges between this and Gravesend?

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 93, October 29, 1887 by Various