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embank

American  
[em-bangk] / ɛmˈbæŋk /

verb (used with object)

  1. to enclose or protect with an embankment.


embank British  
/ ɪmˈbæŋk /

verb

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

"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


Etymology

Origin of embank

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


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:

"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 John Arthur Hamilton

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 Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron Macaulay

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

If you were to embank Lincolnshire now,—more stoutly against the sea? or strip the peat of Solway, or plant Plinlimmon moors with larch—then, in due hour of year, some amateur reaping and threshing?

From Unto This Last and Other Essays on Political Economy by John Ruskin

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

From She by Henry Rider Haggard

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