acropolis

American  

[uh-krop-uh-lis] / əˈkrɒp ə lɪs /

noun

1. the citadel or high fortified area of an ancient Greek city.

2. the Acropolis, the citadel of Athens and the site of the Parthenon.

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Acropolis ¹ British  

/ əˈkrɒpəlɪs /

noun

1. the citadel of Athens on which the Parthenon and the Erechtheum stand

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acropolis ² British  

/ əˈkrɒpəlɪs /

noun

1. the citadel of an ancient Greek city

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Acropolis Cultural  

1. The fortified high point of ancient Athens (see also Athens). Once the center of Athenian life, the Acropolis is now the site of famous ruins, including the Parthenon. In Greek, the word means “high” (acro) “city” (polis).

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Other Word Forms

• acropolitan adjective

Etymology

Origin of acropolis

From the Greek word akrópolis, dating back to 1655–65. See acro-, -polis

Compare meaning

How does acropolis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• acropolis vs. Parthenon

Example Sentences

Greece maintains the ancient antiquities, also known as the Elgin Marbles, were illegally removed from Athens' acropolis, and has has long called for their return from the museum.

From BBC

In the southeast of the island, the small fishing village of Lindos attracts tourists with its hilltop medieval fortress and ancient acropolis.

From Reuters

Volunteers fought to extinguish a blaze that blackened the hillside and charred buildings near Lindos, one of the island's most-visited sites and famed for an acropolis perched on a massive rock within medieval walls.

From Reuters

It eased access to the campus by retaining existing streets, in contrast to the introverted main campus, designed in the late 19th century as a walled acropolis atop Morningside Heights.

From New York Times

Harrison’s Cold War vision involved an acropolis of the performing arts, which, to Moses, Rockefeller and their social circles, meant western classical music, musical theater, opera and ballet.

From New York Times