1. a steep slope or cliff, especially one formed by erosion or faulting
Usage: geology
2. the inner slope of a ditch or fortification
Usage: military; fortification

1. to cut into a steep slope; to form a scarp
Usage: technical

Examples

• The limestone scarp rose dramatically from the valley floor.
• Erosion had created a steep scarp along the riverbank.
• The fortress was protected by a deep moat and high scarp.
• Engineers had to scarp the hillside to build the road.
• The fault scarp marked where the earthquake had shifted the ground.
• Medieval castles often featured a scarp and counterscarp design.
• Workers will scarp the slope to prevent landslides.