stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld 
1
: a fortified place
2
a
: a place of security or survival
… one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic language …—
George Holmes
George Holmes
b
: a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic
a Republican/Democratic stronghold
strongholds of snobbery—Lionel Trilling
Lionel TrillingExamples of stronghold in a Sentence
The area is a Republican stronghold.
The rebels retreated to their mountain stronghold.
the last stronghold of the endangered deer
Recent Examples on the Web
DeSantis, who signed the law in the Republican stronghold of The Villages in Central Florida, was joined by several other Republicans who touted its provisions, warned about potential threats to election integrity, and offered fulsome praise of the governor.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Stanwick, a prominent Iron Age stronghold in northern England, is widely believed to have been a political hub of the Brigantes, a powerful Celtic confederation with a complex relationship with Rome.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
While South Carolina is a Republican stronghold, Graham faces several challengers from within his own party.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
He was killed in southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the militant group Hezbollah, as Israel expands an invasion there.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
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Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Stanwick, a prominent Iron Age stronghold in northern England, is widely believed to have been a political hub of the Brigantes, a powerful Celtic confederation with a complex relationship with Rome.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
While South Carolina is a Republican stronghold, Graham faces several challengers from within his own party.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
He was killed in southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the militant group Hezbollah, as Israel expands an invasion there.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
Cite this Entry
“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld
: fortress
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