A large earthen mound used to shield the inside of a fortified position from artillery fire and infantry assault. Occasionally ramparts might be constructed of other materials, such as sandbags.  See image »

an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes The night was gloomy, dark, and wet; the soldiers, wearied with watching at the ramparts, dozed, leaning on their weapons. — Sienkiewicz, Henr [..]

"earthen elevation around a place for fortification," sometimes also including parapets, 1580s, from Middle French rempart, rampart, from remparer "to fortify," from re- "agai [..]

a large defensive fortification consisting of an embankment and often topped by a parapet

a mound of earth round a place, a defence

n. A bulwark or construction to oppose assault or hostile entry.

(n) an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

vallum, propugnaculum

A mound of earth which surrounds entirely, or in part, a defensive site providing protection against attack.

Large bank of earth or stones or both forming the defence of a fortified site such as a hillfort

A defensive wall with a broad top and usually a stone parapet