earthwork

• Ouvrage ou excavation réalisé(e) en terre ou en pierre, utilisé notamment dans le génie civil, l'archéologie ou la fortification.

A noun referring to a construction or excavation made from soil or rock, typically used in civil engineering, archaeology, or fortification.

1. Archaeological or defensive structureC1formal

   A large man-made mound or bank of earth, often used for defense or as a monument.

   ouvrage en terre

   • The ancient earthworks in Ohio are a popular tourist attraction.
   • The soldiers built earthworks to protect their camp.
   • Archaeologists discovered a series of prehistoric earthworks in the valley.

   Synonymesbankbulwarkembankmententrenchmentfortificationmoundrampart

2. Civil engineering structureC1formal

   An embankment or other structure made from excavated or compacted earth, used in construction.

   Ouvrage en terre

   • The highway project required extensive earthworks to level the terrain.
   • Engineers designed earthworks to prevent landslides.
   • The dam is a massive earthwork structure.