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

see also:

hold the fort

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 fort has long been used for events and recreation, but many of its historic buildings still need major work. — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026

The garrison’s enormous flag was waving on its flagpole, some 90 feet high—a clear signal that the American fort had survived the Battle of Baltimore. — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 11, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

The area is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places and forms part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, with a theater and hiking trails featured alongside the fort’s coastal batteries. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026

Under Spanish rule, able-bodied Malay men, from teenagers to adults, were required to perform 40 days of unpaid annual labor on roads, bridges, churches, forts, piers, plantations, haciendas and mines. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Sep. 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