A retaining wall is often known as a structure that holds back soil or other natural materials along slopes or uneven terrain to prevent erosion. There are several synonyms for a retaining wall, including revetment, barricade, dam, dyke, levee, barrier, and embankment. Revetment is commonly used in military contexts as a retaining structure for fortifications. A barricade is a temporary structure used to block a road or path during construction. A dam is a retaining wall used to stop the flow of water in a river or stream. A dyke is commonly used as a flood barrier. A levee, on the other hand, is a raised bank that protects the land from flooding. All these terms represent a structure with the basic function of retaining something.