riprap

American  

[rip-rap] / ˈrɪpˌræp /

noun

1. a quantity of broken stone for foundations, revetments of embankments, etc.

2. a foundation or wall of stones thrown together irregularly.

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verb (used with object)

riprapped, riprapping

1. to construct with or strengthen by stones, either loose or fastened with mortar.

Etymology

Origin of riprap

First recorded in 1570–80; gradational reduplication of rap ¹

Explanation

Riprap isn't a cool new genre of music; it's a layer of rocks or rubble placed on shorelines or slopes to stop erosion and protect the land. The term riprap refers to layers of large rocks, concrete, or other heavy materials used to stabilize riverbanks, coastlines, or steep hills. By absorbing the force of water or preventing landslides, riprap protects structures, natural habitats, and landscapes from erosion. Riprap is commonly seen along dams, road structures, and waterfronts, creating a barrier that serves as armor for the shoreline.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

riprap riprapped riprapping

On road or riprap, the R2 Performance is a hoss.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026

Crews placed 5,900 tons of large boulders, known as riprap, along the rail, which are intended to absorb flowing water and stabilize potential runoff that may obstruct the rail.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2025

But he hasn’t returned since the riprap came — “It’s depressing to look at.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2023

Today, with much of Puget Sound “armored” by seawalls, riprap and hard surfaces, natural beach formation has been significantly disrupted.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 2, 2023

Up the creek, a couple private docks extended out into the water, then there was a long strip of riprap near a construction site.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

Both the original and reconstructed dams were of earth only, with no heart wall, but only riprapped on the slopes.

From The Johnstown Horror!!! or, Valley of Death, being A Complete and Thrilling Account of the Awful Floods and Their Appalling Ruin by James Herbert Walker

The willow cuttings were planted along the borders and around the dams, the ends of which were riprapped with stone, and a spillway cut to accommodate any overflow during freshets.

From Wells Brothers The Young Cattle Kings by Andy Adams

And those fellows over there might as well be making mud pies as riprapping at that point.

From Whispering Smith by N. C. (Newell Convers) Wyeth

The improvements carried out consisted in removing snags and all impediments in the channel or along shore, removing sandbars, thus deepening the channel, building wing dams, and riprapping the shores.

From Fifty Years In The Northwest With An Introduction And Appendix Containing Reminiscences, Incidents And Notes by William Henry Carman Folsom

The riprapping was merely a skin on each face with more or less loose spauls mixed with the earth.

From The Johnstown Horror!!! or, Valley of Death, being A Complete and Thrilling Account of the Awful Floods and Their Appalling Ruin by James Herbert Walker

They rode to where the forces assembled by Lance were throwing up embankments and riprapping.

From Whispering Smith by N. C. (Newell Convers) Wyeth

Above the hot wharves rose the slope of close stone riprapping, fence against Father Messasebe, who now and then, in spirit of sport or of forgetfulness, reached out for his immemorial tribute of the soil.

From The Law of the Land by Emerson Hough