Embankment

Pronunciation: /ɪmˈbæŋkmənt/

Definitions of embankment

noun a long artificial mound of earth and stone, built to hold back water, for protection or to support a road

Example Sentences

A1 The children played by the embankment, building sandcastles.

A2 The river flooded and water spilled over the embankment, causing damage to nearby homes.

B1 The railway embankment was reinforced to prevent erosion during heavy rainfall.

B2 The city council decided to plant trees along the embankment to improve the area's aesthetics.

C1 The embankment was constructed using reinforced concrete to withstand the weight of the train tracks above.

C2 The engineering team conducted a thorough inspection of the embankment to ensure its stability before the construction project began.

Examples of embankment in a Sentence

formal The engineers reinforced the embankment to prevent erosion.

informal Let's have a picnic on the embankment by the river.

slang I saw some kids skateboarding down the embankment yesterday.

figurative She felt like she was on the edge of an emotional embankment, ready to break down at any moment.

Grammatical Forms of embankment

• past tense: embanked
• plural: embankments
• comparative: more embanked
• superlative: most embanked
• present tense: embank
• future tense: will embank
• perfect tense: have embanked
• continuous tense: is embanking
• singular: embankment
• positive degree: embankment
• infinitive: to embank
• gerund: embanking
• participle: embanked

Origin and Evolution of embankment

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Old French

Story behind the word: The word 'embankment' originated from the Old French word 'banque' which meant 'bench' or 'slope'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'embankment' evolved to specifically refer to a raised bank or mound of earth used to hold back water or support a roadway.