escarpment

[ ih-skahrp-muhnt ]

noun

1. Geology. a long, precipitous, clifflike ridge of land, rock, or the like, commonly formed by faulting or fracturing of the earth's crust. Compare scarp ( def 1 ).
2. ground cut into an escarp around a fortification or defensive position.

escarpment

/ ɪˈskɑːpmənt /

noun

1. 1. the long continuous steep face of a ridge or plateau formed by erosion; scarp
   2. any steep slope, such as one resulting from faulting
2. a steep artificial slope immediately in front of the rampart of a fortified place

escarpment

/ ĭ-skärp′mənt /

1. A steep slope or long cliff formed by erosion or by vertical movement of the Earth's crust along a fault. Escarpments separate two relatively level areas of land. The term is often used interchangeably with scarp but is more accurately associated with cliffs produced by erosional processes rather than those produced by faulting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of escarpment¹

From the French word escarpement, dating back to 1795–1805. See escarp, -ment

Example Sentences

It strides across 5,000 mostly forested acres on the eastern escarpment of the plateau.

From Washington Post

The views from the edge of the escarpment are stunning—you can see across the Hudson Valley on a clear day.

From Outside Online

It is known as the Goro Escarpment, and at its eastern end it forms the boundary between the protectorate and Abyssinia.

From Project Gutenberg

The curved escarpment of the Little Douvre sloped away out of sight beneath him.

From Project Gutenberg

Pushing his way through the drifting foliage, Dalgard swam ahead to the foot of the rocky escarpment.

From Project Gutenberg

The cave being almost everywhere open to the sky, the smoke issued freely, blackening the curved escarpment.

From Project Gutenberg

Silently he went on climbing the escarpment, digging into the rough rock.

From Project Gutenberg