bulwark
[ bool-werk, -wawrk, buhl- ]
/ ˈbʊl wərk, -wɔrk, ˈbʌl- /
noun
a wall of earth or other material built for defense; rampart.
any protection against external danger, injury, or annoyance: The new dam was a bulwark against future floods.
any person or thing giving strong support or encouragement in time of need, danger, or doubt: Religion was his bulwark.
Usually bulwarks. Nautical. a solid wall enclosing the perimeter of a weather or main deck for the protection of persons or objects on deck.
verb (used with object)
to fortify or protect with a bulwark; secure by or as if by a fortification.
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Origin of bulwark
Words nearby bulwark
bully tree, bulnbuln, Bülow, bulrush, Bultmann, bulwark, Bulwer, Bulwer-Lytton, bum, bum around, bum bag
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for bulwark
British Dictionary definitions for bulwark
bulwark
/ (ˈbʊlwək) /
noun
a wall or similar structure used as a fortification; rampart
a person or thing acting as a defence against injury, annoyance, etc
(often plural) nautical a solid vertical fencelike structure along the outward sides of a deck
a breakwater or mole
verb
(tr) to defend or fortify with or as if with a bulwark
Word Origin for bulwark
C15: via Dutch from Middle High German bolwerk, from bol plank, bole 1 + werk work
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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