rampart

noun

ram·​part ˈram-ˌpärt How to pronounce rampart (audio)
-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 Explore Anna Maria Island 05 of 20 Florida: St. Augustine From the ramparts of its 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos to the old-world streetscapes of the historic district and its oak-canopied roads, this storied city on Florida's Atlantic coastline is nearly picture-perfect. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2024 Thick woodlands around the perimeter add a sense of seclusion and privacy, and, though the property sits atop a towering stone rampart, there’s secured access to the waterfront. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024 Above, the steep rampart of the mountains was swept by veils of rain and sun. Peter Heller, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2024 Its rampart soars up right on our border with Nevada and defines the east side of the Owens Valley. Paul McHugh, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 Recently, during the 2011 revolution, protesters used its walls to set up ramparts and equipment; part of the hospital was bombed out during the violence. Sushrut Jangi, Foreign Affairs, 7 Dec. 2014 The medieval ramparts ripple over the hill like the tail of a mighty dragon, and the panorama swings around from the sparkling sea and port to the sunbaked city and mountains. Lisa Johnson, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2023 The walls were first laid out in the early 12th century and some of the ramparts were damaged in the quake, Al Aoula TV reported. Hamdi Alkhshali, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023 The ramparts are intact – complete with arrow slits. Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rampart.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rampart was in 1536

Dictionary Entries Near rampart

Cite this Entry

“Rampart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rampart. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rampart

noun
ram·​part ˈram-ˌpärt How to pronounce rampart (audio)
-pərt
: a broad bank or wall raised as a protective barrier
also : any barrier that provides protection
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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