escarpment

noun

es·​carp·​ment i-ˈskärp-mənt 

1

: a steep slope in front of a fortification

2

: a long cliff or steep slope separating two comparatively level or more gently sloping surfaces and resulting from erosion or faulting

Synonyms

• barranca
• barranco
• bluff
• cliff
• crag
• palisade
• precipice
• scar
• scarp

Examples of escarpment in a Sentence

the castle sits atop an escarpment that for hundreds of years made it virtually invulnerable to attack

Recent Examples on the Web

The rim is a 1,200-foot-tall escarpment that rises dramatically above a broad valley, giving you the perfect perch for spotting the show. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 3 Mar. 2025

During that time, the rover traveled about 1.2 miles along escarpments researchers believe were once part of an ocean shore 4 billion years ago. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2025

Off the water, an easy 1.25-mile hike leads to one of the overlooks at Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River takes a drastic turn around a massive sandstone escarpment. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 4 Feb. 2025

The stately Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a ubiquitous presence in Quebec City, always peering down on visitors from its highpoint on the Cap Diamant escarpment. —Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French escarpement, from escarper to scarp, from Middle French, from escarpe scarp, from Old Italian scarpa — more at scarp

First Known Use

circa 1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

escarpment

noun

es·​carp·​ment is-ˈkärp-mənt 

1

: a steep slope in front of a fort or defensive area

2

: a long cliff