bulwark

American  

[bool-werk, -wawrk, buhl-] / ˈbʊl wərk, -wɔrk, ˈbʌl- /

noun

1. a wall of earth or other material built for defense; rampart.

2. any protection against external danger, injury, or annoyance.

   The new dam was a bulwark against future floods.

3. any person or thing giving strong support or encouragement in time of need, danger, or doubt.

   Religion was his bulwark.

   Synonyms:

   mainstay, buttress, support

4. Nautical. Usually bulwarks. a solid wall enclosing the perimeter of a weather or main deck for the protection of persons or objects on deck.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fortify or protect with a bulwark; secure by or as if by a fortification.

bulwark British  

/ ˈbʊlwək /

noun

1. a wall or similar structure used as a fortification; rampart

2. a person or thing acting as a defence against injury, annoyance, etc

3. (often plural) nautical a solid vertical fencelike structure along the outward sides of a deck

4. a breakwater or mole

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verb

1. (tr) to defend or fortify with or as if with a bulwark

Etymology

Origin of bulwark

1375–1425; late Middle English bulwerk, probably < Middle Dutch bolwerc, equivalent to bol ( l ) e bole ¹ + werk work (noun); cf. boulevard

Explanation

A bulwark is a wall built for protection or defense. If you and your pals build a secret fort for girls only, you might want to build a bulwark to surround it — with a "No Boys Allowed" sign posted prominently. A seawall that runs perpendicular to the shore is sometimes called a bulwark, because it defends the beach, not against invaders, but against beach erosion. Although the noun bulwark can refer to any fortified wall, it often specifically refers to an earthen wall, like a rampart. As a verb, bulwark means to fortify with a wall or to provide protection: "The volunteers used sandbags to bulwark the levee in an attempt to prevent the flooded river from overflowing its banks."

Example Sentences

The pope described the Kingdom of God as a "bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive."

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

We saw it repeatedly called a bulwark of liberty.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

Historically, the tax system has operated as a bulwark against concentrations of wealth.

From Salon • Dec. 28, 2025

The country was seen as a beacon of political stability — and a bulwark against the Soviet Union — during the 1950s.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

If Aristotle were to fall, the proof of God—a bulwark of the church—was no longer valid.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Related Words

• bastion
• fortress
• mainstay
• redoubt