Definition of "embankment" a long mound of earth , stone , or similar material , usually built for purposes such as to hold back or store water , for protection from weather or enemies , or to support a road or railway . quotations examples
Quotations The work to be done under these specifications consists in furnishing all materials and erecting a stone embankment , an earth embankment , and a wharf . The stone embankment will contain about 216,000 tons of stone ; the earth embankment about 285,000 cubic yards of broken stone , sand , or other suitable material ; and the wharf will contain 501,320 feet of timber , and 802 piles , together with the requisite quantity of cast iron mooring bits , wrought iron spikes , bolts , etc .
1886, anonymous author, California Legislature Journal Appendix