What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
embank
Example
The city council decided to embank the river to prevent future floods. [embank: verb]
Example
The embankment along the coast protected the town from the storm surge. [embankment: noun]
dam
Example
The government decided to build a dam to provide electricity to the region. [dam: noun]
Example
The workers had to dam the leak in the pipeline to prevent further damage. [dam: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dam is more commonly used than embank in everyday language. Dam is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while embank is less common and refers to a specific type of construction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between embank and dam?
Both embank and dam are formal words that are typically used in technical or engineering contexts. However, dam is more commonly used and has a wider range of applications, making it more versatile in terms of formality.
