* Historical: The Mississippi River frequently overflowed its banks before the construction of levees along its course.
* Environmental: The levee system protects the city from flooding during heavy rainfall.
* Figurative: After a grueling day at work, I was ready to build a levee around myself and shut out the world.
* Technical: The engineers designed the levee to withstand a 100-year flood event.
* Literary: The rising tide lapped at the base of the levee, threatening to breach its earthen walls.