# bulwark

/ˈbʊɫwɝk/ (US) · /bˈʊlwɔːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bulwark
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a physical wall

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a strong wall built for defense, often made of earth or stone.

For teachers: a defensive wall or rampart constructed to protect a fortification or city.

- The ancient city was protected by a massive stone bulwark that had stood for centuries.
- The soldiers retreated behind the earthen bulwark as the enemy artillery began its morning bombardment of the outer perimeter.

### 2. a metaphorical safeguard

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Academic

a person, law, or idea that protects you from something bad.

For teachers: a person, institution, or principle that acts as a safeguard or defense against undesirable influences or threats.

- Free speech is often seen as a bulwark of democracy.
- The central bank serves as a bulwark against economic instability, intervening when market volatility threatens the national currency.

### 3. on a ship

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the side of a ship that rises above the deck to keep people from falling into the water.

For teachers: the extension of a ship's side above the level of the deck, serving as a railing to prevent passengers and crew from being washed overboard.

- He leaned against the ship's bulwark and watched the waves crash against the side.
- Heavy seas crashed over the bow, but the reinforced bulwarks prevented the deck from being completely flooded during the storm.

### 4. to protect or fortify

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

to protect something or make it stronger against an attack.

For teachers: to fortify or provide with a defense; to act as a protective barrier for something.

- The government tried to bulwark the economy against the effects of the war.
- The treaty was designed to bulwark the small nation's sovereignty against the territorial ambitions of its larger neighbours.

Usage: Often used metaphorically in political or economic contexts.

## Examples

- The castle's thick stone bulwark protected the village from invaders.
- The new law was seen as a bulwark against corruption, ensuring that public officials remained accountable to the citizens.
- In a world of rapid technological shifts, the university acted as a bulwark for traditional values, maintaining its rigorous academic standards despite the pressure to modernize its curriculum.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.