rampart

American  

[ram-pahrt, -pert] / ˈræm pɑrt, -pərt /

noun

1. Fortification.

   1. a broad elevation or mound of earth raised as a fortification around a place and usually capped with a stone or earth parapet.

   2. such an elevation together with the parapet.

2. anything serving as a bulwark or defense.

   Synonyms:

   guard, barricade, breastwork, fortification

---

verb (used with object)

ramparts, present (3rd person singular) ramparted, past participle, past ramparting present participle

1. to furnish with or as if with a rampart.

rampart British  

/ ˈræmpɑːt /

noun

1. the surrounding embankment of a fort, often including any walls, parapets, walks, etc, that are built on the bank

2. anything resembling a rampart in form or function, esp in being a defence or bulwark

3. a steep rock wall in a river gorge

---

verb

1. (tr) to provide with a rampart; fortify

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has ramparted
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have ramparted
  perfect
• am ramparting
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been ramparting
  perfect progressive
• ramparting
  participle
• has been ramparting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• ramparts
  singular 3rd person
• are ramparting
  progressive
• is ramparting
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had ramparted
  perfect
• was ramparting
  progressive singular
• were ramparting
  progressive plural
• had been ramparting
  perfect progressive
• ramparted
  simple
• ramparted
  participle

Future

• will rampart
  simple
• will have ramparted
  perfect
• will have been ramparting
  perfect progressive
• will be ramparting
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of rampart

1575–85; < Middle French, derivative of remparer, equivalent to re- re- + emparer to take possession of < Provençal amparar ≪ Latin ante- ante- + parāre to prepare

Explanation

If you are building a sand castle and want it to be extra realistic, don’t forget the rampart. This protective wall may not keep the ocean away, but it might intimidate a few hostile hermit crabs. This noun is derived from the French verb remparer, meaning “to fortify,” and dates back to the 16th century. This usually refers to a large defensive wall surrounding a castle, but can be a barrier built along a road or an embankment constructed alongside a river. This word is famously used in the lyrics of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States: “O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming...”

Example Sentences

The company will also offer live entertainment and giveaways at the original “Shack” stand on Beverly and Rampart Boulevard.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

The Rampart case ultimately led to a federal consent decree, court oversight of the Police Department and a series of reforms.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Eagle says that in 1996 he was wrongfully arrested for gun possession as a juvenile by Rafael Perez, the central figure of the Rampart scandal.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2025

Last year, the Southeast, North Hollywood and Harbor patrol areas saw the biggest jumps in the number of police shootings, while 77th Street, Foothill, Rampart and Newton divisions recorded the biggest decreases.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025

He said the Butler on Rampart Street was as good as any, and told me what bus to take from downtown.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

Related Words

• barricade