bulwark

1 of 2

noun

bul·​wark ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk How to pronounce bulwark (audio)
-ˌwȯrk;
ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk;
 sense 3 also  ˈbə-ˌläk
1
a
: a solid wall-like structure raised for defense : rampart
b
: breakwater, seawall
building a bulwark in the harbor
2
: a strong support or protection
democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny
a bulwark of freedom
3
nautical : the side of a ship above the upper deck
usually used in plural

bulwark

2 of 2

verb

bulwarked; bulwarking; bulwarks

transitive verb

: to fortify or safeguard with a bulwark
ability to bulwark a moral choiceMargaret Mead

Examples of bulwark in a Sentence

Noun democratic principles that stand as a bulwark against tyranny Verb vowed to use any means necessary to bulwark the country against a terrorist attack
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This empowered him to further weaken traditional political parties — which served as the last bulwark against his ever-growing consolidation of power. Stephanie McNulty & Sarah Chartock / Made By History, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024 If much of the world saw us as the latest in a long line of imperial powers, Americans saw ourselves as a bulwark against the darkest forces of humanity. Matt Bai, Washington Post, 17 July 2024
Verb
These were not men like Elon Musk fretting about virility as some bulwark against extinction. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 16 June 2024 This makes Iraq a weak but vital ally and bulwark against Iranian influence. Michael Wahid Hanna, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2019 See all Example Sentences for bulwark 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bulwark.' 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

Noun and Verb

Middle English bulwerke, from Middle Dutch bolwerc, from bolle tree trunk + werc work

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulwark was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near bulwark

Cite this Entry

“Bulwark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulwark. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bulwark

noun
bul·​wark
ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk,
-ˌwȯrk;
ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk
1
: a solid structure like a wall built for defense
2
: a strong support or protection
3
: the side of a ship above the upper deck
usually used in plural
Etymology

Noun

Middle English bulwerke "bulwark," from early Dutch bolwerc (same meaning) — related to boulevard

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