bulwark

American  

[bool-werk, -wawrk, buhl-] / ˈbʊl wərk, -wɔrk, ˈbʌl- /

noun

1. a wall of earth or other material built for defense; rampart.

2. any protection against external danger, injury, or annoyance.

   The new dam was a bulwark against future floods.

3. any person or thing giving strong support or encouragement in time of need, danger, or doubt.

   Religion was his bulwark.

   Synonyms:

   mainstay, buttress, support

4. Nautical. Usually bulwarks. a solid wall enclosing the perimeter of a weather or main deck for the protection of persons or objects on deck.

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verb (used with object)

bulwarks, present (3rd person singular) bulwarked, past participle, past bulwarking present participle

1. to fortify or protect with a bulwark; secure by or as if by a fortification.

bulwark British  

/ ˈbʊlwək /

noun

1. a wall or similar structure used as a fortification; rampart

2. a person or thing acting as a defence against injury, annoyance, etc

3. (often plural) nautical a solid vertical fencelike structure along the outward sides of a deck

4. a breakwater or mole

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verb

1. (tr) to defend or fortify with or as if with a bulwark

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has bulwarked
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have bulwarked
  perfect
• has been bulwarking
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am bulwarking
  progressive 1st person singular
• is bulwarking
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are bulwarking
  progressive
• have been bulwarking
  perfect progressive
• bulwarking
  participle
• bulwarks
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had bulwarked
  perfect
• bulwarked
  participle
• had been bulwarking
  perfect progressive
• was bulwarking
  progressive singular
• bulwarked
  simple
• were bulwarking
  progressive plural

Future

• will bulwark
  simple
• will have bulwarked
  perfect
• will be bulwarking
  progressive
• will have been bulwarking
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of bulwark

1375–1425; late Middle English bulwerk, probably < Middle Dutch bolwerc, equivalent to bol ( l ) e bole ¹ + werk work (noun); cf. boulevard

Explanation

A bulwark is a wall built for protection or defense. If you and your pals build a secret fort for girls only, you might want to build a bulwark to surround it — with a "No Boys Allowed" sign posted prominently. A seawall that runs perpendicular to the shore is sometimes called a bulwark, because it defends the beach, not against invaders, but against beach erosion. Although the noun bulwark can refer to any fortified wall, it often specifically refers to an earthen wall, like a rampart. As a verb, bulwark means to fortify with a wall or to provide protection: "The volunteers used sandbags to bulwark the levee in an attempt to prevent the flooded river from overflowing its banks."

Example Sentences

Riley remains the councillor for Chepstow's Bulwark and Thornwell ward but will sit as an independent.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

It has helped build media outlets, including the news and opinion site the Bulwark and the Bari Weiss-led the Free Press, which Paramount bought earlier in 2025 for $150 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

Guest: Will Sommer, senior reporter at the Bulwark.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

Combining AI, robotics and much more, Swyler’s latest world-building novel concerns the Bulwark, a walled desert city whose history, values and economy are based on the sacrifices made by its founders.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2024

“It’s a bad case,” observed Bulwark Plate, in a whisper, to the Upper Deck Plank.

From The Dreamers A Club by Bangs, John Kendrick

Related Words

• bastion
• fortress
• mainstay
• redoubt