fortress

American  

[fawr-tris] / ˈfɔr trɪs /

noun

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

2. any place of exceptional security; stronghold.

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fortress British  

/ ˈfɔːtrɪs /

noun

1. a large fort or fortified town

2. a place or source of refuge or support

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verb

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

Etymology

Origin of fortress

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

Example Sentences

“And upon closing, their fortress balance sheet will propel us towards first power in 2031.”

From Barron's

But in this hyper-competitive media world, its throne might not be guaranteed, even if it expands its fortress.

From The Wall Street Journal

My brother had his bar mitzvah at the mountaintop fortress of Masada overlooking the Dead Sea.

From Salon

Indian prime ministers use the Mughal fortress as a backdrop for their annual Independence Day speeches.

From BBC

“Some criminals have understood that museums are not impregnable cultural fortresses,” said Pierre Noual, a French lawyer specializing in cultural heritage law.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• barrier
• citadel
• garrison
• rampart