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

His building wasn’t noticeably damaged from the landslide, its retaining wall in the bluff still intact, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Jensen scaled a retaining wall and entered through a broken window so he could be one of the first people to storm the Capitol that day, Kelly said.

From Seattle Times

“I definitely see their benefits in a retaining wall, especially placed where you can see it. It gives more texture,” says Lisa Port, landscape designer and owner of Banyon Tree Design Studio in Bothell.

From Seattle Times

The retaining wall at the rear of the property is slowly moving toward the drop-off just above the road, experts wrote, and is in dire need of repair.

From Washington Post

Rant to the people who put graffiti on the retaining wall of my neighbors for the second time, taking three people hours and hours to get it off.

From Seattle Times