earthen

adjective

earth·​en ˈər-thən How to pronounce earthen (audio) -t͟hən How to pronounce earthen (audio)
1
: made of earth
2
: earthly

Examples of earthen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The earliest community members built Etowah mounds by first digging soil for the earthen platforms, then filling them with the remains of ritual feasts. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026 The landfill, a former marsh that is separated from San Francisco Bay by an earthen levee, first became an garbage dump in 1938. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 Because the levee is earthen and porous, nearly 100 volunteers remained in Rocky Ripple on Sunday afternoon. — Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 17 Aug. 2026 Locations included the port city of Essaouira and Aït Benhaddou, known for its earthen clay fortresses, in Morocco, Sicily’s Favignana and Castello di Santa Caterina, and Nestor’s Cave in Greece for the Cyclops sequence. — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for earthen

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of earthen was in the 13th century

Rhymes for earthen

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Browse Nearby Words

Earth Day
earthen
earthenware
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Cite this Entry

“Earthen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthen. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

earthen

adjective
earth·​en ˈər-thən How to pronounce earthen (audio) -t͟hən How to pronounce earthen (audio)
: made of earth or of baked clay
an earthen floor
earthen dishes
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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