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.