citadel

noun

cit·​a·​del ˈsi-tə-dᵊl 

-ˌdel

1

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

2

: stronghold

the nation's citadel of health research

—Constance Holden

a citadel of higher education

Synonyms

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

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 on the Web

Other finds included structures related to an 18th century citadel and various 19th and early 20th century structures linked to the Old Fish Market. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2025

The robots are planning to do reparations, Sasha 55 has a citadel named in her honor, and everyone (even Manny!) sends Belinda off as the queen of Earth. —Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2025

After an introduction to this formula, the level opens up into a massive assault on a citadel where the gameplay styles are mixed together. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

Inspired by the Iwo Jima Memorial near Arlington National Cemetery, the monument depicts five Vietnamese soldiers raising a flag with the Quang Tri citadel wall and a pagoda serving as a backdrop. —Heather McRea, Orange County Register, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for citadel

• bagatelle
• caravel
• carousel
• carrousel
• clientele
• commonweal
• decibel
• demoiselle
• fontanelle
• infidel
• isabel
• machiavel

Kids Definition

citadel

noun

cit·​a·​del ˈsit-əd-ᵊl 

-ə-ˌdel

1

: a fortress that sits high above a city

2

: a strong fortress