battlement

[ bat-l-muhnt ]

noun

1. Often battlements. a parapet or cresting, originally defensive but later usually decorative, consisting of a regular alternation of merlons and crenels; crenelation.

battlement

/ ˈbætəlmənt /

noun

1. a parapet or wall with indentations or embrasures, originally for shooting through

Derived Forms

• ˈbattlemented, adjective

Other Words From

• bat·tle·ment·ed [bat, -l-men-tid], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of battlement¹

1275–1325; Middle English batelment < Middle French bataille battlement; -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of battlement¹

C14: from Old French batailles , plural of bataille battle

Example Sentences

I remember the sharp spikes on the rims of the queens’ crowns and the neat, crenelated battlements of the rooks.

From FiveThirtyEight

Right at the crown of the battlement stood a figure in armor, and behind the bulwark was the noise of struggle.

From Project Gutenberg

The upper portion of the walls was decorated with an ornamental frieze and a battlement bordered with fine moulding.

From Project Gutenberg

The red light of the setting sun fell upon it, magnifying every battlement and tower, and making them all glow with color.

From Project Gutenberg

The chief captain stopped in his stride, drew his cloak about him, rested his thigh on a square battlement, and resigned himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Joan leaned against the crumbling battlement, and the words of Conrad were very sweet in her ear.

From Project Gutenberg