# levee

/ˈɫɛvi/ (US) · /lˈɛviː/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/levee
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a wall or embankment built to keep water from flooding an area. It is often used to protect cities near rivers.

For teachers: an embankment or wall constructed to prevent a river or other body of water from overflowing its banks. Often used in the context of flood control and civil engineering.

## Examples

- The city built a high levee to protect against the river.
- After the heavy rains, engineers inspected the levee for any signs of structural weakness that might lead to a breach.
- The catastrophic failure of the levee system during the hurricane led to widespread flooding, highlighting the urgent need for modern infrastructure upgrades in the region.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.