Kremlin

[ krem-lin ]

/ ˈkrɛm lɪn /

noun

the Kremlin,

the executive branch of the government of Russia or of the Soviet Union, especially in regard to its foreign affairs.
the citadel of Moscow, including within its walls the chief offices of the Russian and, formerly, of the Soviet government.

Origin of Kremlin

1655–65; earlier Kremelien < German (now obsolete) < an unattestested outcome of Old Russian *kremlĭnĭ, derivative of kremlĭ (Russian kremlʾ, gen kremlyá) citadel, akin to Old Russian Kromŭ the citadel of Pskov, Ukrainian króma partition, Russian kromá, krómka edge, border

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for kremlin

The inauguration had to be held in the fortified Kremlin, surrounded by an eerily quiet city.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On Tuesday, two senior Kremlin officials, Vladimir Avdeyenko and Boris Rapoport, quit their jobs.
Recession? Devaluation? Inflation? Putin Tells Russia Stay the Course.|Anna Nemtsova|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now the Kremlin will assign more loyal people to rule the region, mostly military leaders.
Recession? Devaluation? Inflation? Putin Tells Russia Stay the Course.|Anna Nemtsova|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Kremlin likes to portray these as sinister Western conspiracies.
Putin’s Health Care Disaster|Anna Nemtsova|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Kremlin is far away—almost 1,000 kilometers away, in fact.
Russia’s Freest Website Now Lives in Latvia|Anna Nemtsova|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the French approached the Kremlin they were saluted by a discharge of musketry.
Historical Tales, Vol. 6 (of 15)|Charles Morris
Then, with his head uncovered, and walking by the side of her carriage, he conducted her to the city and to the Kremlin.
The Empire of Russia|John S. C. Abbott
The Boiars form an imperial council and rule in the Kremlin.
Demetrius|Friedrich Schiller
The troops, accompanied by ecclesiastics who bore the banners of the cross, passed out at the gate of the Kremlin.
The Empire of Russia|John S. C. Abbott
Several were sabered, and the Kremlin was relieved of their presence.
The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VII (of X)--Continental Europe I|Various

British Dictionary definitions for kremlin (1 of 2)

kremlin

/ (ˈkrɛmlɪn) /

noun

the citadel of any Russian city

Word Origin for kremlin

C17: from obsolete German Kremelin, from Russian kreml

British Dictionary definitions for kremlin (2 of 2)

Kremlin

/ (ˈkrɛmlɪn) /

noun

the 12th-century citadel in Moscow, containing the former Imperial Palace, three Cathedrals, and the offices of the Russian government

(formerly) the central government of the Soviet Union

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for kremlin

Kremlin

1660s, Cremelena, from Old Russian kremlinu, later kremlin (1796), from kreml' "citadel, fortress," perhaps of Tartar origin. Originally the citadel of any Russian city, now especially the one in Moscow. Used metonymically for "government of the U.S.S.R." from 1933. The modern form of the word in English might be via French.

Culture definitions for kremlin

Kremlin

A fortress in central Moscow that contains the central offices of the government of Russia and, formerly, the offices of the Soviet Union.

Note

The term Kremlin was also used figuratively to mean the former Soviet government.