stronghold
Americannoun
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a defensible place; fortress
-
a major centre or area of predominance
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.
L.A. rose as the Republican stronghold of California.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
Morales rejects the allegations and has been hiding from the law in his central coca-growing stronghold of Chapare since late 2024.
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
However, there was a shock loss for the party to the SNP in their traditional stronghold seat of Shetland.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
Palantir continues to have a stronghold in its government business, where its early start in the defense sector and deep relationships in Washington limit its vulnerabilities.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026
In Port Elizabeth, an ANC stronghold, and other areas of the Cape, the response was better on the second and third days than the first.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
