rampart

noun

ram·​part ˈram-ˌpärt 

-pərt

1

: a protective barrier : bulwark

2

: a broad embankment raised as a fortification and usually surmounted by a parapet

3

: a wall-like ridge (as of rock fragments, earth, or debris)

Examples of rampart in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s fighting in the streets, along the ramparts, hot oil poured on men climbing ladders. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

With Silverwing airborne, Ormund joins the fight on the ramparts, where Roddy hangs on for the chance to kill him. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

They have been launched from mountains, riverbanks, bridges, medieval ramparts, cathedrals. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

The record there shows us a circle of 15-foot-high limestone walls with towers and ramparts on a verdant coastal plain, not a desert city of earth and clay. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from ramparer to fortify, from re- + emparer to defend, from Old Occitan emparar, from Vulgar Latin *imparare, from Latin in- in- entry 2 + parare to prepare — more at pare

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rampart

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart
• art

Kids Definition

rampart

noun

ram·​part ˈram-ˌpärt 

-pərt

: a broad bank or wall raised as a protective barrier

also : any barrier that provides protection