A flood embankment is a structure built to protect an area from flooding. It is typically made of earth and other materials, such as rocks, and is designed to hold back water. The two most common terms for a flood embankment are LEVEE and DYKE. A LEVEE is a long, narrow embankment built along the banks of a river or stream, while a DYKE is a more general term for any kind of embankment, including those built to protect against floods.