rampart
PronouncedRAM-part
nounA strong wall built around a castle or fort to keep enemies out.
nounSomething that protects you or keeps you safe from danger.
nounA steep slope or bank at the side of a river or deep valley.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter R
Sound“r”·/r/
The letter R makes the /r/ sound, like in 'run', 'red', and 'rope'. The tongue curls back slightly.
R is a voiced approximant. The tongue curls back or bunches up without touching the roof of the mouth. When R follows a vowel it changes that vowel's sound (r-controlled vowels).
Tip
R is for run — /r/ with a curl of the tongue!
Examples
When the letter A appears in a closed syllable (a syllable that ends with a consonant), it usually makes the short A sound “a”. This is one of the first vowel sounds students learn.
Tip
A says “a” like a cat that sat on a mat.
Examples
Phonics Rule: MP End Blend
Sound“mp”·/mp/
MP at the end of a syllable blends /m/ and /p/ together, like in 'jump', 'camp', and 'lamp'.
MP is a common end blend. The lips are involved in both sounds — /m/ hums with closed lips, then /p/ pops them open.
Tip
MP pops at the end — jump, camp, stamp!
Examples
Phonics Rule: R-Controlled AR
Sound“ar”·/ɑːr/
When R comes after A, it changes the sound to “ar”, like in 'car' and 'star'.
When A is followed by R, the R 'bosses' the vowel and changes its sound. Instead of short A or long A, you hear “ar”. R-controlled vowels are sometimes called 'Bossy R'.
Tip
Bossy R takes the car to the farm!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter T
Sound“t”·/t/
The letter T makes the /t/ sound, like in 'top', 'tap', and 'ten'. The tongue tip taps behind the upper teeth.
T is a voiceless alveolar stop. The tongue tip touches the ridge behind the upper teeth and releases with a puff of air. Double T (tt) makes the same /t/ sound.
Tip
T taps — touch your tongue to make /t/!
Examples
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