ramparts
Fortress perimeter barriers
Ramparts are the defensive walls or embankments surrounding a fortification, typically broad enough to walk on and often topped with a parapet for protection.
The word appears in "The Star-Spangled Banner": the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there—o'er the ramparts we watched.
Figuratively, ramparts are any protective barriers: the last ramparts of democracy.
Notched parapet openings
- parapetLow wall at edge
- embrasureFortified wall opening
- battlementsNotched defensive wall top
- arrow slitNarrow defensive shooting gap
loopholes · curtain wall · walkway · allure · breastwork · coping · watchtower · guard tower
Heavily defended military structure
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
- strongholdFortified place of defense
- redoubtEnclosed temporary fortification
- entrenchmentFortified or fixed position
earthworks · palisade · stockade · bunker · emplacement · garrison · outwork · blockhouse
Fortified medieval residence
- keepRetain or fortified tower
- drawbridgeHinged castle entrance span
- portcullisVertical sliding castle gate
- moatDefensive water ditch
dungeon · feudalism · knights · heraldry · chivalry · jousting · squire · banners
Protection against harm
- protectionGuarding against harm
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
barrier · bastion · guardian · anthem · national pride · patriotism · steadfastness · resilience
Violent offensive act
- scalingClimbing or resizing
- laddersStructures for ascending
- siege towerMobile assault platform
- battering ramHeavy beam for breaching
trebuchet · catapult · ballista · bombardment · breach · defenders · garrison · sentry
crenelations
Notched parapet openings
- parapetLow wall at edge
- embrasureFortified wall opening
- battlementsNotched defensive wall top
arrow slit · loopholes · curtain wall · walkway · allure · breastwork · coping · watchtower · guard tower · sentry post
fortress
Heavily defended military structure
- citadelFortified urban stronghold
- strongholdFortified place of defense
- redoubtEnclosed temporary fortification
entrenchment · earthworks · palisade · stockade · bunker · emplacement · garrison · outwork · blockhouse · casemate
castle
Fortified medieval residence
- keepRetain or fortified tower
- drawbridgeHinged castle entrance span
- portcullisVertical sliding castle gate
moat · dungeon · feudalism · knights · heraldry · chivalry · jousting · squire · banners · standard
defense
Protection against harm
- protectionGuarding against harm
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
shield · barrier · bastion · guardian · anthem · national pride · patriotism · steadfastness · resilience · strength
assault
Violent offensive act
- scalingClimbing or resizing
- laddersStructures for ascending
- siege towerMobile assault platform
battering ram · trebuchet · catapult · ballista · bombardment · breach · defenders · garrison · sentry · archers
- Trojan WarTroy, Achilles, Hector, Helen, Odysseus
- Hadrian's Wallturret, turrets, Chesters, curtain wall, ditch
- Luxembourg landmarksNotre-Dame Cathedral, casemates, fortifications, old town, citadel
- castleskeep, moat, drawbridge, dungeon, turret
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- medievalknights, castles, cathedral, kings, queens
rampartsbattering rams
Tools for breaking barriers
siege towers · trebuchets · siege engines · catapults · artillery
- stone ramparts
- medieval rampartsFortified castle perimeter walls