bulwark

1 of 2

noun

bul·​wark ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk How to pronounce bulwark (audio)
-ˌwȯrk;
ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk;
 sense 3 also  ˈbə-ˌläk
1
a
: a solid wall-like structure raised for defense : rampart
b
: breakwater, seawall
building a bulwark in the harbor
2
: a strong support or protection
democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny
a bulwark of freedom
3
nautical : the side of a ship above the upper deck
usually used in plural

bulwark

2 of 2

verb

bulwarked; bulwarking; bulwarks

transitive verb

: to fortify or safeguard with a bulwark
ability to bulwark a moral choiceMargaret Mead

Examples of bulwark in a Sentence

Noun democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny Verb vowed to use any means necessary to bulwark the country against a terrorist attack
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Lean and fast at 6-foot-2, 160 pounds, the CSU commit is a reliable bulwark at the third level of defense. Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025 By leveraging Turkish dependence on the kingdom and other wealthy Gulf actors such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia can construct a bulwark against Ankara’s ambitions to assert itself as the region’s dominant power. Kamran Bokhari, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Netflix has also bulwarked regional industries, Lustres argues. John Hopewell, Variety, 16 June 2025 Greece was seen as bulwark against Moscow and its client states in southeastern Europe. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulwark

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English bulwerke, from Middle Dutch bolwerc, from bolle tree trunk + werc work

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulwark was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bulwark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulwark. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

bulwark

noun
bul·​wark
ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk,
-ˌwȯrk;
ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk
1
: a solid structure like a wall built for defense
2
: a strong support or protection
3
: the side of a ship above the upper deck
usually used in plural
Etymology

Noun

Middle English bulwerke "bulwark," from early Dutch bolwerc (same meaning) — related to boulevard

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