levee

noun

ˈle-vē How to pronounce levee (audio)
Definition of leveenext
1
as in dam
a bank of earth constructed to control water the raging floodwaters were too much for the levee to handle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in wharf
a structure used by boats and ships for taking on or landing cargo and passengers we tied the boat up at the levee and started unloading the fish we had caught

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of levee Presidio is protected by a series of berms and levees built in the 1970s and 1980s along the Rio Grande and tributaries to combat flooding. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The other is the data gap itself, with unreliable or incomplete records common across stormwater systems, levees, schools and other sectors. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The town is worried about the effect the wall would have on a series of berms and levees built in the 1970s and 1980s along the Rio Grande and tributaries to combat flooding. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 Some residents argue the levee belongs to riverside property owners, while others say levee encroachments conflict with plans for the Sacramento River Parkway. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for levee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for levee
  1. dam
  2. wharf
  3. embankment
  4. dock
  5. pier
  6. quay
Noun
  • The dam burst in the fifth, and runs continued to pour in during each of the next four innings.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • At this point water would no longer be able to flow downstream from the dam at all.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of dam
Noun
  • But in 1820, Shippingport had about 600 residents, three wharves for steamboats, taverns and a flour mill.
    — Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The redevelopment would change that by extending and upgrading existing wharves and dredging areas around the docks.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of wharf
Noun
  • Assam has invested heavily in embankments, erosion-control structures, flood walls and other engineering.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In June, three people died after losing control of their vehicle and tumbling 400 feet off an embankment in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of embankment
Noun
  • The sellers will work with the eventual buyer on a custom dock designed around their watercraft.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Areas of discussion include plans for improved parking; a review of community needs, public spaces, and recreation opportunities; the restoration of the facility’s docks; and the future of the nearby basin, channel, and Baby Beach.
    — Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of dock
Noun
  • In Italy, the worst drought in 70 years has exposed the piers of an ancient bridge over the Tiber River once used by Roman emperors but which fell into disrepair by the third century.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The project also includes adding new access points, fishing piers, canoe launches and more, said Roberto Valazquez.
    — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of pier
Noun
  • Three Yemeni government sources told Reuters air defenses were engaging drones launched by the Houthis toward the commercial quay and storage in the port.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Emergency services evacuated everyone from the vessel and the surrounding quay after the leak was detected and carried out air quality measurements.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
Definition of quay

Browse Nearby Words

letups
levee
levees
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Levee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/levee. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on levee

Nglish: Translation of levee for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about levee

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of prowess

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All