fortress

noun

for·​tress ˈfȯr-trəs 

: a fortified place : stronghold

especially : a large and permanent fortification sometimes including a town

fortresslike

ˈfȯr-trəs-līk 

adjective

Synonyms

• bastion
• castle
• citadel
• fastness
• fort
• fortification
• hold
• redoubt
• stronghold

Examples of fortress in a Sentence

the boys built a snow fortress and then challenged the neighborhood kids to an in-your-face snowball fight

Recent Examples on the Web

Arab, Ayyubid and Mamluk rulers all occupied this fortress over the centuries. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 23 Dec. 2024

Even though the entire herd appears to be on its feet, one buck is still holed up in his fortress. —Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 19 Dec. 2024

Even Santa Claus dare not tread in this unholy fortress, which becomes Thomas' prison when Orlok makes a play to claim his wife, Ellen, with whom he's maintained a years-long psychic connection. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2024

One immediate result of those changes was that Dignity Health Sports Park became a fortress again. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English forteresse, from Anglo-French fortelesce, forteresse, from Medieval Latin fortalitia, from Latin fortis strong

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fortress

noun

for·​tress ˈfȯr-trəs 

: a fortified place