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 • Dec. 4, 2024

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 • Jul. 23, 2023

Towns arose around a hill fortress or acropolis to which inhabitants could flee in times of danger.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

With the stone walls of the acropolis in danger of collapse, Mexican anthropologist Fernando Godos and a local crew were enlisted to reinforce and stabilize the crumbling masonry.

From New York Times • Sep. 13, 2022

A vast promenade, mausoleum, acropolis, planetarium, library, opera house—everything marble and granite, everything profoundly clean.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr