This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
levee
1[ lev-ee ]
/ ˈlɛv i /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
an embankment designed to prevent the flooding of a river.
Geology. natural levee.
Agriculture. one of the small continuous ridges surrounding fields that are to be irrigated.
History/Historical. a landing place for ships; quay.
verb (used with object), lev·eed, lev·ee·ing.
to furnish with a levee: to levee a treacherous stream.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of levee
11710–20, Americanism;<French levée<Medieval Latin levāta embankment, noun use of feminine past participle of Latin levāre to raise, originally lighten, akin to levis light, not heavy
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH levee
levee , levyWords nearby levee
levanter, Levantine, Levant storax, levator, Le Vau, levee, level, level best, level compensator, level crossing, level curve
Other definitions for levee (2 of 2)
levee2
[ lev-ee, le-vee ]
/ ˈlɛv i, lɛˈvi /
noun
(in Great Britain) a public court assembly, held in the early afternoon, at which men only are received.
a reception, usually in someone's honor: a presidential levee at the White House.
History/Historical. a reception of visitors held on rising from bed, as formerly by a royal or other personage.
Origin of levee
21665–75; <French levé, variant spelling of lever rising (noun use of infinitive) <Latin levāre to raise; see levee1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use levee in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for levee (1 of 2)
levee1
/ (ˈlɛvɪ) /
noun US
an embankment alongside a river, produced naturally by sedimentation or constructed by man to prevent flooding
an embankment that surrounds a field that is to be irrigated
a landing place on a river; quay
Word Origin for levee
C18: from French, from Medieval Latin levāta, from Latin levāre to raise
British Dictionary definitions for levee (2 of 2)
levee2
/ (ˈlɛvɪ, ˈlɛveɪ) /
noun
a formal reception held by a sovereign just after rising from bed
(in Britain) a public court reception for men, held in the early afternoon
Word Origin for levee
C17: from French, variant of lever a rising, from Latin levāre to raise
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
Scientific definitions for levee
levee
[ lĕv′ē ]
A long ridge of sand, silt, and clay built up by a river along its banks, especially during floods.
An artificial embankment along a rivercourse or an arm of the sea, built to protect adjoining land from inundation.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.