earthwork

earth-work · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A large artificial bank of earth, especially one used as a fortification or boundary.

  2. 2.

    The process of excavating and moving large quantities of soil.

  3. 3.

    (archaeology) An archaeological feature made of soil or rock.

Forms

plural: earthworks

Related words

See also: earthworks, embankment, fortification
Synonyms: embankment, fortification, rampart

Etymology

A compound from Old English eorthe (earth) + weorc (work), dating from the 16th century.