retaining wall

noun

1. a wall for holding in place a mass of earth or the like, as at the edge of a terrace or excavation.

retaining wall

noun

1. a wall constructed to hold back earth, loose rock, etc Also calledrevetment

Word History and Origins

Origin of retaining wall¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

I was on a night run once in the neighborhood where I grew up, and showed off for some porch-sitters by leaping onto and off of a retaining wall, tramping through what I thought were rhododendrons before going back to the pavement.

From Outside Online

Marvin hops over the edge of his retaining wall, which he built.

From The Daily Beast

Excavations have shown that Eridu was protected by a retaining wall of sandstone, of which material many of its houses were made.

From Project Gutenberg

As the last good-night was spoken Helen sought mechanically the low retaining wall against which she had so often rested.

From Project Gutenberg

He stumbled rather than walked to the retaining wall, and rested against it for support.

From Project Gutenberg

A couch had been placed near the retaining wall, so that he could rest upon it whenever he felt fatigued.

From Project Gutenberg

The altar of Zeus consists of a great mound of ashes with a retaining wall.

From Project Gutenberg