Kremlin

[krem-lin]

noun

1. the Kremlin,

   1. the executive branch of the government of Russia or of the Soviet Union, especially in regard to its foreign affairs.

   2. the citadel of Moscow, including within its walls the chief offices of the Russian and, formerly, of the Soviet government.

Kremlin

¹

/ ˈkrɛmlɪn /

noun

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

2. (formerly) the central government of the Soviet Union

kremlin

²

/ ˈkrɛmlɪn /

noun

1. the citadel of any Russian city

Kremlin

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kremlin¹

First recorded in 1655–65; earlier Kremelien, from German (now obsolete), from Old Russian kremlĭnŭ (unrecorded), derivative of kremlĭ “citadel” (modern Russian kremlʾ ), of disputed origin; perhaps akin to Old Russian Kromŭ, the citadel of Pskov, Ukrainian króma “partition,” Russian kromá, krómka “edge, border”; alternatively, perhaps of Turkic origin, akin to Turkish kermen “castle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kremlin¹

C17: from obsolete German Kremelin, from Russian kreml

Example Sentences

The Kremlin has escalated aerial attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities and rail systems over recent weeks, building on earlier bombing campaigns over the previous three winters that left millions without heating in frigid temperatures.

Read more on Barron's

The Kremlin has been accused of putting some of the children up for adoption or sending them off to military training camps.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Kremlin took control of Prigozhin’s group after he turned against Russian leader Vladimir Putin and was killed in a plane crash.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Kremlin has denied that it was behind the drone maneuvers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Kremlin’s refusal last year to aid former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is now in exile in Moscow, was a potent indication of its shrinking military and political reach.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal