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 temple is thought to have been erected sometime during the third century CE, when the nearby Kapersburg fort was established as part of Rome’s frontier in Germania. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Much of the stone used to construct Hadrian’s Wall and its forts and milecastles was recycled over the centuries, but the stone footings largely remain, as do the flanking ditches. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 21 Sep. 2026

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

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