fastness

noun fast·ness \ ˈfas(t)-nəs \

Definition of fastness

1 :the quality or state of being fast: such as

a :the quality or state of being fixed

b :the quality or state of being swift

c :colorfast quality

d :resistance (as of an organism) to the action of a usually toxic substance

2 a :a fortified or secure place

b :a remote and secluded place

vacationed in their mountain fastness

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Examples of fastness in a Sentence

the amazing fastness with which the boy took his shower had us wondering if he'd used any water
the guerillas retreated to their network of hidden fastnesses deep within the mountains

Recent Examples of fastness from the Web

India kept the mostly Hindu rest of Jammu, the Vale itself and the desert-like fastness of Ladakh.

— The Economist, "Vale of darknessBuffeted by both India and Pakistan, it is the Kashmiris who suffer most," 20 July 2017

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