earthwork

[ urth-wurk ]

noun

1. excavation and piling of earth in connection with an engineering operation.
2. Military. a construction formed chiefly of earth for protection against enemy fire, used in both offensive and defensive operations.
3. an artistic work that consists of a large-scale alteration or modification of an area of land in a configuration designed by an artist or of an artist's sculptural installation, as in a museum or gallery, of soil, rock, or similar elemental materials.

earthwork

/ ˈɜːθˌwɜːk /

noun

1. excavation of earth, as in engineering construction
2. a fortification made of earth

Word History and Origins

Origin of earthwork¹

First recorded in 1625–35; earth + work

Example Sentences

The BBC has filmed construction taking place alongside a military vehicle near the town of Majdal Shams, and fresh earthworks in rural land further south.

From BBC

“It was going to be almost a vocal earthwork,” said Aitken, who tends to think and speak in floating, unearthly concepts.

From Los Angeles Times

She called it “Malibu Line” and it was the first of her many earthworks exploring the body’s relationship to land and cosmos, using bold pigments on natural materials like rocks and sand.

From New York Times

Native Americans constructed the earthworks, including eight long earthen walls, that correspond to lunar movements.

From Seattle Times

Native Americans constructed the earthworks, including eight long earthen walls, that correspond to lunar movements and align with points where the moon rises and sets over the 18.6-year lunar cycle.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• dike
• foxhole
• gorge
• gully
• moat
• pit
• trough
• waterway