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

Military engineers resorted to building lower, thicker ramparts, backed by earth, and sought to eliminate blind spots by building angular bastions — the aforementioned extrusions. —Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026

In a calmer corner of the ramparts, over-looking the bay, Loyda Rosa’s pioneering plant-forward restaurant, Verde Mesa, has helped lay the foundations for the island’s flourishing farm-to-table scene since launching in 2009. —Ben Olsen, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Feb. 2026

In this sense, Welles’s songs are far better suited to social media than to the stage, to say nothing of the ramparts. —Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026

It is comprised of two ramparts, one around the exterior of the village, and a small one situated at the center of the mound. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 4 Jan. 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