fortress

[ fawr-tris ]

noun

1. a large fortified place; a fort or group of forts, often including a town; citadel.
2. any place of exceptional security; stronghold.

fortress

/ ˈfɔːtrɪs /

noun

1. a large fort or fortified town
2. a place or source of refuge or support

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortress¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortress¹

C13: from Old French forteresse , from Medieval Latin fortalitia , from Latin fortis strong

Example Sentences

Some lawmakers bristled at the idea that protecting the Capitol from rioters would require turning the Capitol into a partial fortress.

From Washington Post

It is unclear if such efforts are the work of individuals aiming to disrupt the inauguration, or merely curious passersby documenting the fortress that has sprung up across downtown.

From Washington Post

The more quickly a fortress of immunity is built, the easier it is to thwart the virus as it hits blockade after blockade.

From Time

The constant monitoring of common space is corrosive on its own terms because it breeds paranoia and gives our infrastructure the veneer of a fortress.

From Voice of San Diego

The rebels defended themselves from within an improvised fortress but ultimately were no match for their captors’ army.

From Ozy

After all, we have constructed Fortress America at enormous cost.

From The Daily Beast

Each of us believes what we choose to believe, and facts have become bricks to shore up the fortress of our own biases.

From The Daily Beast

It was a ponderous labyrinth of bolts, locks, and steel doors, making it an almost impregnable fortress.

From The Daily Beast

On my way back into town, I walked by the fortress of tents surrounding the harbor, readying for the yacht show.

From The Daily Beast

The ancient Grande Mosque and Kasbah fortress line the main plaza square.

From The Daily Beast

The garrison of the town and fortress was nearly three thousand strong.

From Project Gutenberg

The governor of the fortress was provided with a safe residence in Egypt, and an annual pension of 75,000 piasters.

From Project Gutenberg

While the fortress was undermining at home, they were not idle, who were preparing to storm it from abroad.

From Project Gutenberg

At Stettin, during the armistice, he entered the fortress and tried to seduce the governor, an ex-Jacobin and erstwhile friend.

From Project Gutenberg

The enemy was confident that any attempt on the fortress must be preceded by the passage of the river by the whole French army.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barrier
• citadel
• garrison
• rampart