rampart

[ ram-pahrt, -pert ]

noun

1. Fortification.
   1. a broad elevation or mound of earth raised as a fortification around a place and usually capped with a stone or earth parapet.
   2. such an elevation together with the parapet.
2. anything serving as a bulwark or defense.

   Synonyms: guard, barricade, breastwork, fortification

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with or as if with a rampart.

rampart

/ ˈræmpɑːt /

noun

1. the surrounding embankment of a fort, often including any walls, parapets, walks, etc, that are built on the bank
2. anything resembling a rampart in form or function, esp in being a defence or bulwark
3. a steep rock wall in a river gorge

verb

1. tr to provide with a rampart; fortify

Word History and Origins

Origin of rampart¹

1575–85; < Middle French, derivative of remparer, equivalent to re- re- + emparer to take possession of < Provençal amparar ≪ Latin ante- ante- + parāre to prepare

Word History and Origins

Origin of rampart¹

C16: from Old French, from remparer , from re- + emparer to take possession of, from Old Provençal antparar , from Latin ante before + parāre to prepare

Example Sentences

Parks was chief during the Rampart scandal, which led to court-mandated reforms after officers were found to have committed robberies, murders and other crimes.

From Los Angeles Times

Garcia and Sanchez said they call senior lead officers from the Rampart division when they have a specific problem, and they can usually count on help arriving in a hurry.

From Los Angeles Times

During his tenure with the LAPD, McDonnell made a mark by working with the city’s diverse communities and political leaders to restore confidence in the department after the Rampart corruption scandal of the late 1990s and early 2000s, where officers committed robberies and murders.

From Los Angeles Times

The robberies were spread across the city in multiple neighborhoods, including Rampart, Wilshire, Hollywood, and West L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

McDonnell helped implement the federal consent decree that arose largely out of the Rampart corruption scandal, in which dozens of officers were accused of serious misconduct, including perjury and evidence tampering.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barricade