escarpment

American  

[ih-skahrp-muhnt] / ɪˈskɑrp mənt /

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.

2. ground cut into an escarp around a fortification or defensive position.

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escarpment British  

/ 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

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escarpment Scientific  

/ 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.

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Etymology

Origin of escarpment

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

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Explanation

You are standing at the foot of a cliff. You look up at the steep, sharp wall of rock above you and realize you are seeing an escarpment. At this moment, you can truly appreciate the power of natural erosion. The history of the word escarpment can be found in the Italian scarpa and the French verb escarper, meaning "to make into a steep slope." This became the noun referring to a natural cliff, usually found where the land forms shift from highlands to a low plateau, with the sharp slope of an escarpment dividing the two landscapes. The word was also applied to a non-natural protective barrier usually built up in front of castles or forts.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

escarpment

The escarpment rises precipitously from the sagebrush-covered valley floor, climbing through pinyon and juniper woodlands into thick pine forests.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

As an escarpment, plateau, and mountain system rose, it created elevations cold enough for snow and ice to persist and build up over time.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

When warm air from the Gulf rushes up the escarpment, it condenses and can dump a lot of moisture.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2025

The site's location on the lip of a south-facing escarpment in the middle of Somerset was carefully chosen.

From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2025

To the northeast the rolling mountains ended in a steep escarpment.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

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