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)

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

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

Example Sentences

Mr Ambekar says that portions of an earthen rampart believed to have been built by the region's first settlers exists even today.

From BBC • May 5, 2025

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

He looked terrified as he stared into Dumbledore’s face, which was even paler, and rather lower than usual, as he had slid so far down the rampart wall.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• barricade