noun
levee
LEV-ee/ˈlevi/
An embankment built to prevent flooding.
The grassy levee holds back the swollen river beside dry farmland.
Etymology
French levée means both “a raising” and “an embankment.” The connection is the raised bank of earth that holds a river back from overflowing.
In context
so that it does not overwhelm the Levee system and endanger the wastewater treatment plant
More examples
- Workers reinforce the levee before the heavy rains arrive.
- Floodwater pours through a break in the levee.
- Farmers rely on levees to protect their fields from floods.
Forms
levee · levees
Similar words
- dike
- Also holds back floodwater, including water from the sea.
- embankment
- Broader term for raised earth supporting roads or containing water.
- floodwall
- An upright wall rather than a bank of earth.