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 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
The open seat, covering Manhattan's West Side, has long been a Democratic stronghold, making the primary the real contest.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Even agribusiness constituencies in the Brazilian heartland, long a Bolsonaro stronghold, recognize that Brazil cannot simply distance itself from Beijing.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
The area remains a Democratic stronghold that backed former Vice President Kamala Harris by 10 points last year.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
Chicago Advertisement The Chicago Teachers Union was set to rally against the stronghold of billionaires, but pivoted to protesting against the possible federal takeover of the city.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
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Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Even agribusiness constituencies in the Brazilian heartland, long a Bolsonaro stronghold, recognize that Brazil cannot simply distance itself from Beijing.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
The area remains a Democratic stronghold that backed former Vice President Kamala Harris by 10 points last year.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
Chicago Advertisement The Chicago Teachers Union was set to rally against the stronghold of billionaires, but pivoted to protesting against the possible federal takeover of the city.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
Cite this Entry
“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld
: fortress
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