noun
embankment
ihm-BANGK-muhnt
noun
1
A raised bank of earth or stone built to hold back water, or to carry a road or railway across low ground.
"The river burst its banks and flooded the land beyond the embankment."
"The railway runs along a high embankment through the valley."
How to Use Embankment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA built-up ridge of earth or stone, usually to hold back water or support a road or track.
Common pairings
river embankment
railway embankment
build an embankment
Word Forms
embankments plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “embankment”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The river burst its banks and flooded the land beyond the _____.
Etymology
Formed from "embank" (to enclose with a bank) plus the noun-forming suffix "-ment".