fort

noun

ˈfȯrt 

1

: a strong or fortified place

especially : a fortified place occupied only by troops and surrounded with such works as a ditch, rampart, and parapet : fortification

2

: a permanent army post

—often used in place names

Synonyms

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

Examples of fort in a Sentence

They captured the fort after a long battle.

a series of forts along the frontier

Recent Examples on the Web

The city dismantled the fort in 2016 after significant pressure from the California Coastal Commission. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024

There is also a string of water parks lavishly-themed to a desert fort, an oasis and Aztec temples. —Caroline Reid, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024

So, dad’s fort became a chicken coop and over the next five years, Dambo embarked on building his own extensive fort with his friends. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2024

Climb to the top of the ruins of the island's 18th-century fort to catch sweeping views across the sea towards neighboring islands. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English forte, from Anglo-French fort, from fort, adjective, strong, from Latin fortis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fort

• hold down the fort
• hold the fort

Kids Definition

fort

noun

ˈfō(ə)rt 

ˈfȯ(ə)rt

1

: a strong or fortified place

2

: a permanent army post