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

See Examples For:

embank

To raise a mound or dike about; to inclose, defend, or fortify with a bank; to embank.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

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

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 Ruskin, John

"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

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