Earthwork

Definition of earthwork:

part of speech: noun

The removing of earth in making railways, etc.: a fortification of earth.

Usage examples for earthwork:

• Above the village, on the shoulder of the near hill, was an earthwork and some tents were pitched within its ring. "A Sea Queen's Sailing", Charles Whistler.

• Higson, springing on shore, followed by Archie and most of his crew, two only remaining to take care of the boat, made a dash at the earthwork from which the defenders, if so they could be called, rushed out as their assailants leaped in. "The Three Commanders", W.H.G. Kingston.

• Now, when I had well considered all this, I went on to that loveliness which is Chilham; passing as I went, that earthwork older than any history called Julaber's Grave, marked by a clump of fir trees. "England of My Heart--Spring", Edward Hutton.

• The three river sides of the London fort presented a perpendicular cliff surmounted by a stockade, the other side, on which lay the forest, probably had an earthwork also surmounted by a stockade. "The History of London", Walter Besant.