Riprap

//ˈɹɪpɹap// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An underwater bank seen as a danger to shipping. countable, uncountable

    "They hold on, spray flying, the ceaseless racket of water impacting on rock all but swallowing them, the river pitching dizzily, snags and riprap raking like claws at the bottom of the boat."

  2. 2
    Rocks or other materials used to shore up an embankment, deter or prevent erosion, guide shipping, or serve as a temporary mooring. Canada, US, countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To form a riprap in or upon.

Synonyms

All synonyms
basebasementbasisbedbeddingbedrock

Example

More examples

"They hold on, spray flying, the ceaseless racket of water impacting on rock all but swallowing them, the river pitching dizzily, snags and riprap raking like claws at the bottom of the boat."

Etymology

Apparently a reduplication (with vowel dissimilation) of rap (“blow, stroke”).

Related phrases

shore up

More for "riprap"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.