citadel

American  

[sit-uh-dl, -uh-del] / ˈsɪt ə dl, -əˌdɛl /

noun

1. a fortress that commands a city and is used in the control of the inhabitants and in defense during attack or siege.

2. any strongly fortified place; stronghold.

3. (formerly) a heavily armored structure on a warship, for protecting the engines, magazines, etc.

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citadel British  

/ -ˌdɛl, ˈsɪtədəl /

noun

1. a stronghold within or close to a city

2. any strongly fortified building or place of safety; refuge

3. a specially strengthened part of the hull of a warship

4. (often capital) the headquarters of the Salvation Army

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Etymology

Origin of citadel

1580–90; < Middle French citadelle < Old Italian cittadella, equivalent to cittad ( e ) city + -ella -elle

Example Sentences

Among AEG’s recent developments is the IG Arena in the outer citadel of Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Japan, where sports and entertainment events, including sumo wrestling, are held.

From Los Angeles Times

The crew locked themselves inside a fortified citadel while the attackers took control of the ship.

From BBC

The recently opened IG Arena stands in the outer citadel of Nagoya Castle in Nagoya, Japan, which was built in the early 1600s, when samurai battles raged in the region.

From Los Angeles Times

Peru is home to many of the Americas' most significant archaeological discoveries, including the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the Andes and the mysterious Nazca Lines etched into the desert along the central coast.

From BBC

Marie-Laure, a blind girl hiding from the Nazis in a walled French citadel, and Werner, a young German radio expert, find themselves connecting without even knowing it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bastion
• fortification
• fortress