retaining wall

American  

noun

1. a wall for holding in place a mass of earth or the like, as at the edge of a terrace or excavation.

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retaining wall British  

noun

1. Also called: revetment.  a wall constructed to hold back earth, loose rock, etc

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Etymology

Origin of retaining wall

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

A fossil dating back 240 million years has finally been formally identified after spending decades hidden inside a retaining wall.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

The specimen was first uncovered by a retired chicken farmer, who had sourced rocks from a nearby quarry to build a garden retaining wall.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

Body-worn camera footage released by the department showed Wolak, Zhou and a CHP officer standing on a retaining wall next to a fence that separated a neighbor’s home from Lauren’s property.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The bridge at Kilrea closed in September after cracking was found in a retaining wall and reopened to cars and other light vehicles on 6 December after temporary repairs.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

At the top of the hill, they climbed over an old retaining wall and down into an excavated trench.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan