retaining wall
5
4.4
- noun
- /rɪˈteɪnɪŋ wɔl/
- Specialized
:
muro de contención
- The engineers designed a robust retaining wall to prevent soil erosion on the hillside.
Does anybody know anybody that could build a a retaining wall?
- Does anybody know anybody that could build a a retaining wall?
Examples
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I climbed over the brick retaining wall and crawled toward the sound of the kitten.
Fiction book (1999) -
The roots of the plants also would have stabilized retaining walls and surrounding sediments, protecting against the periodic threat of erosion.
Academic text (2002) -
That is a rock retaining wall with stairs, complete with areas to plant.
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First, retaining walls of brick or stone were built as a sort of form.
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First, retaining walls of brick or stone were constructed as a sort of form.
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The car came to rest with its roof against a concrete retaining wall, trapping the driver.
Blog text (30) -
At its base was a stone retaining wall more than 15 feet high, with a defensive extension wall of mud bricks rising higher still.
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Excavations have shown that the owners erected a retaining wall in an attempt to control the runoff.
Academic text (2011) -
A ten-foot retaining wall, dropping off like a cliff to the pavement below.
Fiction book (1991) -
The dirt that clogged the tunnel ended abruptly against a wooden retaining wall.
Fiction book (1992)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A vertical structure that divides or surrounds an area, like part of a building
20
2.7
A low fence made by stacking rough stones to mark boundaries or keep animals out
14
3.9
A strong wall built along the shore to protect land from the sea
1
9.9
A wall of stone, concrete, or sandbags that protects a shore from waves and erosion
1
4.4
A high wall that stops flood water from entering an area
1
8.2
A wall at the end of a drain or pipe that holds soil and guides water
A layer of stone or concrete that protects a slope like a riverbank
How High
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun 'retaining wall' is transparently composed from 'retain' (to hold or keep in place) + 'wall' (a supporting vertical structure), so its meaning — a wall that holds back earth or water — is directly derivable from the parts. This construction follows ordinary English composition patterns and has clear cross-linguistic equivalents, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would understand it.
Etymology
Retaining wall makes a simple picture: the retaining part 'holds back' earth while the wall stands between a hill and lower ground to stop the soil from moving. That's why it means a wall built to 'hold back' or 'support' earth or water.