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

In addition to its natural beauty, this area is home to Fort Pickens, a pre-Civil War fortress later used by Union troops. —Tykesha Spivey Burton, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2024

In the fall of 2016, a flood breached the entrance tunnel of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, built into a mountain as a fortress to safeguard the world’s seeds. —Ayurella Horn-Muller Syris Valentine, WIRED, 31 Aug. 2024

It was founded in the mid- 1st century as a legionary fortress before the soldiers moved away and the old fortress continued to grow into a thriving city. —Issy Ronald, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024

Long put that genius on display during his doubles match in the team competition against India, acting as a fortress behind the table to block his opponents’ attempt at winners. —Sean Gregory / Paris, TIME, 7 Aug. 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