fort

¹

[fawrt, fohrt]

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.

fort.

²

abbreviation

1. fortification.

2. fortified.

fort

/ fɔːt /

noun

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

2. informal,  to maintain or guard something temporarily

Word History and Origins

Origin of fort¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fort¹

C15: from Old French, from fort (adj) strong, from Latin fortis

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hold the fort,

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

   2. to maintain the existing state of affairs.

see hold the fort.

Example Sentences

Diamond, who has previously worked in Prem Rugby with Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors, held the fort as Newcastle struggled to compete financially with the rest of the league.

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“Maybe one of the things I’d like to do is ask them to give us ownership of the land where we have the big fort,” he said.

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But for one former software company CEO, the opportunity to bring back to life a derelict 19th Century Napoleonic fort brought with it more challenges than he had ever anticipated.

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In Gwent Police's patch, the hills are littered with ancient forts and Roman remains - and have become a regular target for those hoping to unearth rare artefacts for the black market.

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There’s a whole lot more going on than a hearty appreciation of sheep, interlaced, rolling hills and Iron Age forts.

Read more on Salon