fortress
Americannoun
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a large fortified place; a fort or group of forts, often including a town; citadel.
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any place of exceptional security; stronghold.
noun
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a large fort or fortified town
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a place or source of refuge or support
verb
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That is, Berkshire’s fortress balance sheet and its durable earnings make it more valuable in times of stress or chaos, since it can deploy capital when others are constrained.
From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026
On Tuesday night, at the fortress of soccer giant Inter Milan, the Norwegians pulled off their most surprising victory yet.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
The Maduros tried to escape into a safe place, the US president explained, describing it as a military "fortress".
From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026
Companies are creating cash cushions — also known as fortress balance sheets — to protect themselves from a possible downturn.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2026
He could understand why Achren’s fortress was called Spiral Castle.
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
