Skip to content
HOW TO PRONOUNCE

bulwark

/ˈbʊl.wɚk/

Press play to hear how to pronounce bulwark.

American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
Watch on YouTube ↗

What does bulwark mean?

noun

  1. A defensive wall or rampart.
  2. A defense or safeguard.
  3. A breakwater.
More meanings (4)

noun

  1. The planking or plating along the sides of a nautical vessel above her gunwale that reduces the likelihood of seas washing over the gunwales and people being washed overboard.
  2. (figuratively) Any means of defence or security.

verb

  1. To fortify something with a wall or rampart.
  2. To provide protection of defense for something.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈbʊl.wɚk/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

The inherited stupidity of the race—sound English common sense he jovially termed it—was shown to be the proper bulwark for society.
Oscar WildeThe Picture of Dorian GrayProject Gutenberg ebook #174
“The fool,” answered Wamba, raising the relics of a gammon of bacon, “will take care to erect a bulwark against the knave.”
Walter ScottIvanhoe: A RomanceProject Gutenberg ebook #82
More book examples (3)
Even so the initial form of the Anthrax might well continue, not in inactivity, but in stubborn attempts to overcome the thick bulwark.
Jean-Henri FabreThe Life of the Fly; With Which are Interspersed Some Chapters of AutobiographyTranslated by Alexander Teixeira de MattosProject Gutenberg ebook #3422
Before I could say a word, or move forward to seize him, he sprang on the bulwark and deliberately threw himself into the sea.
Bram StokerDraculaProject Gutenberg ebook #345
But the bulwark of our defense is the national militia, which in the present state of our intelligence and population must render us invincible.
United States. PresidentsUnited States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches: From Washington to George W. BushProject Gutenberg ebook #925