stronghold
Americannoun
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a defensible place; fortress
-
a major centre or area of predominance
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of stronghold
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at strong, hold 1
Explanation
A stronghold is a building or other structure that is safe from attack. A fortress is a perfect example of a stronghold. A castle or fort surrounded by stone walls and moats is one kind of stronghold; they are built to keep the people or valuables inside them safe from invading armies. You might build a stronghold of driftwood and rocks around your prized sand sculpture on the beach, or even a figurative stronghold around yourself — to guard against having your feelings hurt.
Vocabulary lists containing stronghold
In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
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The High King
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Pay Attention, Carter Jones
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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.
See Examples For:
The seat, which Min has held since last year, was for decades in a Republican stronghold that in recent years became a swing district in coastal Orange County.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
His rally appearance, along with the endorsement of local Rep. Russell Fry, who was the third-place finisher in the first round of voting two weeks ago, transformed that region into a stronghold for Graham.
From Slate ● Aug. 26, 2026
Places like Wigan - in Greater Manchester, Burnham's stronghold - often languish next to the bigger cities in whose shadow they sit.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
The southwestern region of Honam -- a traditional liberal stronghold encompassing Gwangju and the Jeolla provinces -- has long lagged behind the more industrialised southeast.
From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026
Even the Japanese knew they were going to be defeated when they lost their stronghold.
From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac
Texas is showing faster AI diffusion than tech strongholds in California and Washington state, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
It might surprise other observers, too, who have watched Newsom's political ascendance from the mayor of San Francisco to governor of the Golden State, both Democratic strongholds.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
They moved between wildlife strongholds, skirting areas containing major human obstacles, including the capital, Lusaka, and heavily developed industrial areas.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
According to the indictment, the Hoovers had strongholds over specific hotels and motels in their territory, including the Stadium Inn & Spas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
It seemed that the evil power in Mirkwood had been driven out by the White Council only to reappear in greater strength in the old strongholds of Mordor.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
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.
