Main Entry: strong·hold

Pronunciation: \ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 : a fortified place
2 a : a place of security or survival <one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic language — George Holmes> b : a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic <a Republican stronghold> <strongholds of snobbery — Lionel Trilling>