1
: a strong or fortified place
especially : a fortified place occupied only by troops and surrounded with such works as a ditch, rampart, and parapet : fortification
2
: a permanent army post
often used in place names

Examples of fort in a Sentence

They captured the fort after a long battle. a series of forts along the frontier
Recent Examples on the Web On the contrary: the Belcher kids, joined by their pals — the Pesto twins and Darryl — are foiled from getting the best candy in the neighborhood after they’re first trapped in their fort by a truck, then by Louise’s nemesis Millie. Cady Lang, TIME, 21 Oct. 2024 In 2020 there was a change in ownership that led Lewis and Haigh to decide to pursue other opportunities, leaving Sealey to hold down the fort. Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 At home, he’s left his wife, Sam (Sarah Lind, A Wounded Fawn), to hold down the fort. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2024 And sometimes, you’re asked to hold the fort, in a sense. Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fort 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fort.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English forte, from Anglo-French fort, from fort, adjective, strong, from Latin fortis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fort was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near fort

Cite this Entry

“Fort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fort. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

fort

noun
ˈfō(ə)rt How to pronounce fort (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)rt
1
: a strong or fortified place
2
: a permanent army post

More from Merriam-Webster on fort

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