fort

noun

ˈfȯrt 

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

Synonyms of fort

• fortress
• stronghold
• fortification
• citadel
• castle
• bastion

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

The trust has added outdoor exhibits representing the main gate of the mission-fort and renovated the Plaza de Valero next to the Menger Hotel. —Madison Iszler, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Feb. 2026

Beyond its white-, black- or golden-sand beaches and historic forts, the island has the opportunity to carve out a new role as a model for responsible travel, one where visitors don’t just take from the island but give back to it. —Josh Rivera, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026

Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, alliances with various European powers shifted and forts rose, then fell into piles of matchsticks. —Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026

University of Cambridge students discovered the remains last year during a training dig at the Wandlebury Iron Age hill fort. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English forte, from Anglo-French fort, from fort, adjective, strong, from Latin fortis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fort

• hold down the fort
• hold the fort

Rhymes for fort

• bort
• corte
• court
• dort
• mort
• norte
• ort
• port
• porte
• quart
• short
• snort

Kids Definition

fort

noun

ˈfō(ə)rt 

ˈfȯ(ə)rt

1

: a strong or fortified place

2

: a permanent army post