bul ‧ wark /ˈbʊlwək $ -wərk/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Middle Dutch ; Origin: bolwerc , from Middle Low German , from bole 'flat piece of wood' + werc 'work' ]
1 . something that protects you from an unpleasant situation
bulwark against
a bulwark against dictatorship
2 . bulwarks [plural] the sides of a boat or ship above the ↑ deck
3 . a strong structure like a wall, built for defence