fortress

[fawr-tris]

noun

1. a large fortified place; a fort or group of forts, often including a town; citadel.

2. any place of exceptional security; stronghold.

fortress

/ ˈfɔːtrɪs /

noun

1. a large fort or fortified town

2. a place or source of refuge or support

verb

1. (tr) to protect with or as if with a fortress

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortress¹

1300–50; Middle English forteresse < Old French < Vulgar Latin *fortaricia (compare Medieval Latin fortalitia ), equivalent to Latin fort ( is ) strong + -ar-, formative of uncertain meaning +- icia -ice

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortress¹

C13: from Old French forteresse , from Medieval Latin fortalitia , from Latin fortis strong

Example Sentences

“I don’t want Californians ignored by the national government because all the districts are fortresses for one party or the other.”

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Fifth Third on Monday said that it expects after the deal to have the top retail deposit franchise in Michigan, where Comerica began in the 1840s, and to solidify its “fortress” position across the Midwest.

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Maybe's Roman's definition of a fortress is just different to most other people's.

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They believe the fortress, which was built across two small islands in a loch at Finlaggan on Islay, belonged to royalty more than 700 years ago.

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A helpful digital “fly through” video reconstructs the vast fortress, elaborately decorated with brightly colored, often patterned murals.

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Related Words

• barrier 
• citadel 
• garrison 
• rampart