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

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verb (used with object)

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

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verb

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

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

On top of this base, turf would have been laid to build a rampart about 2 metres high.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2023

Even more alarming, Brinkman pointed out a spot along the waterfront where the wall ends and all that holds back the sea is a low, crumbling concrete rampart.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2017

In the late afternoon, my guide Izabela meets me outside a McDonald’s next to a historic rampart that once was part of the city walls.

From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2016

The Paramour Mansion stands behind a wrought-iron gate and a rampart of pine trees at the top of a steep hill.

From The Guardian • May 12, 2016

‘Not far ahead now lies Helm’s Dike, an ancient trench and rampart scored across the coomb, two furlongs below Helm’s Gate. There we can turn and give battle.’

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

Related Words

• barricade