citadel
noun
cit·a·del
ˈsi-tə-dᵊl 
-ˌdel
1
: a fortress that commands (see command entry 1 sense 2c) a city
2
: stronghold
the nation's citadel of health research—
Constance Holden
Constance Holdena citadel of higher education
Synonyms
Examples of citadel in a Sentence
We visited a medieval citadel in Italy.
a massive stone citadel continues to command the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia
Recent Examples on the Web
Pearce, in a magnificent performance, plays him as a kind of citadel—towering yet human-scaled, his immaculate dress and coiffure barely mussed by the occasional burst of temper or spasm of ego.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024
Another clip shows rebels at the city’s citadel, which is also in central Aleppo.
—Eyad Kourdi, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024
International law experts say Israel still has a responsibility to protect civilians even if Hamas exploits them.
City Center
Within the city of Khan Younis, only one citadel wall remains of its Mamluk-era fortress, ground away by centuries and wars past.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2024
One clip purported to show HTS troops waving the flag of the Free Syrian Army above the citadel of Aleppo, proclaiming victory.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for citadel 
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Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024
Another clip shows rebels at the city’s citadel, which is also in central Aleppo.
—Eyad Kourdi, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024
International law experts say Israel still has a responsibility to protect civilians even if Hamas exploits them.
City Center
Within the city of Khan Younis, only one citadel wall remains of its Mamluk-era fortress, ground away by centuries and wars past.
—Raja Abdulrahim, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2024
One clip purported to show HTS troops waving the flag of the Free Syrian Army above the citadel of Aleppo, proclaiming victory.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for citadel
Dictionary Entries Near citadel
Cite this Entry
“Citadel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citadel. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
citadel
noun
cit·a·del
ˈsit-əd-ᵊl
-ə-ˌdel
1
: a fortress that sits high above a city
2
: a strong fortress
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