Definition

1. Noun:

   • A defensive wall or structure: A strong, protective barrier, often made of earth, stone, or concrete, built for defense against attack.
   • A breakwater or seawall: A structure built out into the water to protect a shore or harbor from the force of waves.
   • A person, principle, or thing that acts as a defense: Something that provides strong support or protection against danger or an undesirable influence.

2. Verb:

   • To defend or protect with or as if with a bulwark: To act as a defensive barrier for something.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The ancient city was surrounded by a massive stone bulwark.
  • The harbor's bulwark effectively breaks the force of the ocean storms.
  • Free speech is a bulwark of a democratic society.

• Verb:

  • The treaty was designed to bulwark the nation against foreign aggression.
  • We must bulwark our institutions against corruption.

Advanced Usage

• "To be a bulwark against something": To serve as a strong defense against a particular threat.

  • The independent judiciary is a bulwark against tyranny.

• "The last bulwark": The final or most important defense.

  • This law is the last bulwark for consumer rights.

Variants and Related Words

• Bulwarks (plural noun): In nautical contexts, this specifically refers to the solid wall or railing around the deck of a ship.
  • The sailor held onto the bulwarks during the storm.

Synonyms

• Noun: Rampart, bastion, fortification, defense, stronghold, barrier, safeguard.
• Verb: Fortify, defend, protect, shield, strengthen.

Related Phrases

• "Bulwark of liberty/freedom": A common phrase describing a principle or institution that protects freedoms.
  • A free press is often called a bulwark of liberty.

Idioms

• "Stand as a bulwark": To act as a firm and reliable defense.
  • The mountains stand as a natural bulwark against the invading winds.

Noun

1. a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
2. a fencelike structure around a deck (usually plural)
3. an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
   • they stormed the ramparts of the city
   • they blew the trumpet and the walls came tumbling down

Verb

1. defend with a bulwark