lev·ee¹ • n. an embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river. ∎  a ridge of sediment deposited naturally alongside a river by overflowing water. ∎  a landing place; a quay. ∎  a ridge of earth surrounding a field to be irrigated. lev·ee² / ˈlevē/ • n. a reception or assembly of people, in particular: ∎  a formal reception of visitors or guests. ∎ hist. an afternoon assembly for men held by the British monarch or their representative. ∎ archaic a reception of visitors just after rising from bed.

levée
1. Raised embankment of a river, showing a gentle slope away from the channel. It results from periodic overbank flooding, when coarser sediment is immediately deposited due to a reduction in velocity. This may lead to a situation in which the river flows well above the level of its outer floodplain.

2. See LAVA LEVÉE.

levee A raised embankment along the edge of a river channel, showing a gentle slope away from the channel. It results from periodic overbank flooding, when coarser sediment is immediately deposited, owing to a reduction in velocity. This may lead to a situation in which the river flows well above the level of its outer flood-plain.

levée Natural embankment formed alongside a river by the deposition of silt when the river is in flood. Levées can help to prevent flooding, and are sometimes built up and strengthened artificially. On some large rivers, such as the Mississippi, they may reach heights of more than 15m (50ft).

levee reception of visitors on rising from bed XVII; assembly held by a sovereign, etc., esp. in the early afternoon XVIII. — F. levé, sb. use of pp. of lever raise, (refl.) rise; see LEVY, -EE1.