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.

---

retaining wall British  

noun

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

---

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

Smee thought about planting an oak tree instead but worried that a large tree might be too heavy for the retaining wall along the sidewalk, so he decided against it.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

According to local officials, the Rodalies train collided with a retaining wall which fell onto the track between Gelida and Sant Sadurní on Tuesday evening.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

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