1
: a strong or fortified place
especially
: a fortified place occupied only by troops and surrounded with such works as a ditch, rampart, and parapet : fortification
2
: a permanent army post
—often used in place names
Examples of fort in a Sentence
They captured the fort after a long battle.
a series of forts along the frontier
Recent Examples on the Web
These individuals shaped Charleston’s politics and economy by building canals, roads, bridges, forts— virtually all the colony’s infrastructure—but their contributions were not documented and their names are unknown.
—
Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
The fort’s archictecture is unusual.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
It was used as a military fort from 1850 to 1933, during which military prisoners were also housed on the island, according to BOP.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
On the business side, Jason, Sarah, and Denise will hold down the fort.
—Hayden Field, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fort
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Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
The fort’s archictecture is unusual.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
It was used as a military fort from 1850 to 1933, during which military prisoners were also housed on the island, according to BOP.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
On the business side, Jason, Sarah, and Denise will hold down the fort.
—Hayden Field, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fort
Cite this Entry
“Fort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fort. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fort
noun
ˈfō(ə)rt 
ˈfȯ(ə)rt
1
: a strong or fortified place
2
: a permanent army post
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