noun
levee
LEH-vee
Levee (noun) means an embankment built along a river to prevent flooding. Example: “The levee failed during the storm, flooding several neighborhoods.”
noun
1
An embankment built along a river to prevent flooding.
"The levee failed during the storm, flooding several neighborhoods."
"Workers reinforced the levee with sandbags ahead of the flood."
How to use levee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA raised wall of earth built along a riverbank to stop flooding.
UK vs US
Especially associated with American English, particularly in the context of the Mississippi River.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the levee broke
build a levee
levee failure
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like levee.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- levees
- Third person singular
- levees
- Past tense
- leveed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ failed during the storm, flooding several neighborhoods.
Etymology
From French levee, "raised (thing)," from lever, "to raise."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for levee
See all rhymes for levee →Frequently asked questions
What does “levee” mean?
The word “levee” means an embankment built along a river to prevent flooding. In plain terms, a raised wall of earth built along a riverbank to stop flooding.
How do you pronounce “levee”?
“Levee” is pronounced LEH-vee (/ˈlɛvi/ in IPA).
How do you use “levee” in a sentence?
Here is “levee” used in a sentence: “The levee failed during the storm, flooding several neighborhoods.”
What part of speech is “levee”?
“Levee” is a noun.
Where does the word “levee” come from?
The word “levee” comes from French. From French levee, "raised (thing)," from lever, "to raise.".
