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

Explanation

A citadel is a fortified structure designed to provide protection during a battle. So, back in the days when pillaging was commonplace, it was a good idea to know where your nearest citadel was. Among the most historically famous citadels are the Acropolis in Athens and the Tower of London. Even though we're building fewer physical fortresses these days, citadel remains a useful word, particularly when you need to create a metaphor suggesting strength and safety. As poet John Keats wrote, "[I]t appears to me that almost any man may like the spider spin from his own inwards his own airy citadel."

Example Sentences

In the waterfront building known as the red citadel -- once the seat of power -- visitors journey through a history that includes ancient art, Greek and Roman antiquities and Ottoman-era weapons and jewellery.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

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

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

For years, he threw himself long and hard against Carson’s legendary citadel of privacy and in 2002 got the first interview after Carson’s earthshaking retirement.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2024

“Here I am at 68 years old and I’m walking around this citadel of my childhood,” he said during a Zoom interview last week.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 25, 2024

The Tizerkane looked grim, and...this was odd, but Lazlo noticed, first seeing Azareen and the way she kept her eyes pinned on Eril-Fane, that none of them were looking at the citadel.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• bastion
• fortification
• fortress