1. An opening or series of openings in the floor of a projecting parapet or gallery of a castle or fortified wall, through which defenders could drop stones, boiling water, or other projectiles on attackers below.
Usage: architecture; historical
2. A projecting parapet or gallery itself that contains such openings.
Usage: architecture; historical

Examples

• The castle's machicolation allowed defenders to protect the base of the walls from invaders.
• Medieval architects designed machicolations to give defenders a tactical advantage during sieges.
• Through the machicolation, guards could observe and attack enemies approaching the gate.
• The fortress featured elaborate machicolations along its outer walls.
• Historians study machicolations to understand medieval military architecture and defense strategies.