escarpment

[ ih-skahrp-muhnt ]

noun

1. Geology. a long, precipitous, clifflike ridge of land, rock, or the like, commonly formed by faulting or fracturing of the earth's crust. Compare scarp ( def 1 ).
2. ground cut into an escarp around a fortification or defensive position.

escarpment

/ ɪˈskɑːpmənt /

noun

1. 1. the long continuous steep face of a ridge or plateau formed by erosion; scarp
   2. any steep slope, such as one resulting from faulting
2. a steep artificial slope immediately in front of the rampart of a fortified place

escarpment

/ ĭ-skärp′mənt /

1. A steep slope or long cliff formed by erosion or by vertical movement of the Earth's crust along a fault. Escarpments separate two relatively level areas of land. The term is often used interchangeably with scarp but is more accurately associated with cliffs produced by erosional processes rather than those produced by faulting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of escarpment¹

From the French word escarpement, dating back to 1795–1805. See escarp, -ment

Example Sentences

Hike back down the Beach Trail from the visitors center through chaparral and sandy bluffs to the shore at Flat Rock, where rain has eroded deep arroyos into the 300-foot sandstone escarpments.

From Los Angeles Times

That allowed us more modern digs and a lovely deck overlooking a large pond and a stunning view of Winter Rim, a 3,000-foot escarpment to the west.

From Seattle Times

“Everyone had work, and children stayed here instead of going abroad,” Mr. Bulkhak said, gesturing at the now mostly empty village from an escarpment overlooking the valley.

From New York Times

In recent years, he has worked on an increasingly vast scale, as he searches for the most minimal means to convey nature’s immersive enormities: dark forests, distant escarpments, moonlight on water, wintry fields.

From Washington Post

Capturing your interest for geology: in front of an escarpment in Newfoundland.

From Los Angeles Times