gabion Meaning, Definition & Usage

F., from It. gabbione a large cage, gabion, from gabbia cage, L. cavea. See Cage.

(Fort.) A hollow cylinder of wickerwork, like a basket without a bottom. Gabions are made of various sizes, and filled with earth in building fieldworks to shelter men from an enemy's fire.
(Hydraul. Engin.) An openwork frame, as of poles, filled with stones and sunk, to assist in forming a bar dyke, etc., as in harbor improvement.