fort

¹ American  

[fawrt, fohrt] / fɔrt, foʊrt /

noun

1. a strong or fortified place occupied by troops and usually surrounded by walls, ditches, and other defensive works; a fortress; fortification.

2. any permanent army post.

3. (formerly) a trading post.

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idioms

1. hold the fort,

   1. to defend one's position against attack or criticism.

   2. to maintain the existing state of affairs.

fort. ² American  

abbreviation

1. fortification.

2. fortified.

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fort British  

/ fɔːt /

noun

1. a fortified enclosure, building, or position able to be defended against an enemy

2. informal  to maintain or guard something temporarily

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fort More Idioms  

1. see hold the fort.

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Etymology

Origin of fort

First recorded in 1550–60; from Middle French, noun use of adjective fort “strong,” from Latin fortis “strong, tough, hardy”

Example Sentences

The blast outside the historic fort was the first such explosion in the heavily guarded city since 2011.

From BBC

“If we don’t hold the fort down, there will be nothing to come back to,” Hearring said.

From Los Angeles Times

"And is that possible for next week? I genuinely do not know. My job was to come in and hold the fort, and the minute that someone is appointed, I will step aside."

From Barron's

The second was a Roman copper alloy lamp in the shape of sandaled foot, discovered by a study group in Kent while exploring what is believed to be a small Roman fort.

From BBC

“He just spent five months holding down the fort at home while I was on Broadway,” she recalled.

From Los Angeles Times