citadel

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noun cit·a·del \ ˈsi-tə-dᵊl , -ˌdel \

Definition of citadel

1 :a fortress that commands (see ¹command 2c) a city

2 :stronghold

the nation's citadel of health research
—Constance Holden

a citadel of higher education

See citadel defined for English-language learners

See citadel defined for kids

Examples of citadel in a Sentence

We visited a medieval citadel in Italy.
a massive stone citadel continues to command the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia

Recent Examples of citadel from the Web

Even as ISIS gunmen lose the ground war in their citadels in Iraq and Syria, the group’s campaign of terror shows no sign of slowing down in Europe and the Middle East.

— TIME.com, "THE WAGES OF TERROR," 26 Aug. 2017
Taking four days to trek the high-altitude Inca Trail that culminates at Machu Picchu is one way to see the citadel.

— rebecca misner, CNT, "Bye-Bye, Bucket List: These Trips Don't Have to Be 'Once in a Lifetime'," 22 Aug. 2017
A young Peruvian boy led Hiram Bingham III to the overgrown citadel in the jungle.

— david holahan, courant.com, "A Connecticut Pilgrimage To Machu Picchu," 15 Aug. 2017
The stately Triumphal Arch at the top of the park served as the fair’s main entrance — symbolically celebrating the citadel’s removal.

— rick steves' europe, The Seattle Times, "Finding urban getaways in Europe’s top cities," 4 July 2017
The highlights of the city are the religious buildings inside the ancient white walls of its 16th century kremlin, or citadel, one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites.

— tales azzoni, The Seattle Times, "Where Europe meets Asia, Kazan offers rich diversity," 22 June 2017
The citadel has been used as an army base in recent fighting and several of its historic buildings have been destroyed.

— kieron monks, CNN, "The greatest buildings you'll never see: 20 priceless monuments lost in conflict," 22 June 2017
Braintree is a regional non-profit incubator and citadel of entrepreneurial thought.

— michael c. dealoia, cleveland.com, "Braintree starts in Ohio hinterland and medical scheduling company aspiring for Hyr level: Tech Czar Talk," 11 June 2017
The lure is La Cité, a 10th-century citadel both fairy-tale and foreboding.

— katherine wheelock, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why Languedoc Is Like Nowhere Else in France," 9 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'citadel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of citadel

Medieval French citadelle, from Old Italian cittadella, diminutive of cittade city, from Medieval Latin civitat-, civitas — more at city

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1542

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citadel Synonyms

Synonyms

bastion, castle, fort, fastness, fortification, fortress, hold, redoubt, stronghold

Related Words

battlement, breastwork, bulwark, earthwork, embattlement, parapet, rampart; bunker, dugout; blockhouse, garrison house; alcazar, casbah (also kasbah)

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

CITADEL Defined for English Language Learners

citadel

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noun

Definition of citadel for English Language Learners

: a castle or fort that in past times was used to protect the people of a city if the city was attacked

CITADEL Defined for Kids

citadel

play

noun cit·a·del \ ˈsi-tə-dᵊl , -ˌdel \

Definition of citadel for Students

:a fortress that sits high above a city

Learn More about citadel

See words that rhyme with citadel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for citadel Spanish Central: Translation of citadel Nglish: Translation of citadel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of citadel for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about citadel

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CITADEL Defined for English Language Learners

citadel

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