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

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

But this island destination also boasts a walkable downtown, natural beauty, historical fort, top-notch golf courses, and a mix of both luxe resorts and quaint inns. —Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 10 May 2026

In addition to exploring the forts and lighthouses, families can enjoy coastal trails, bird-watching, and stargazing. —Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 9 May 2026

Zaragoza stationed his men on the high ground, hidden behind cacti, behind walls of dilapidated forts, in ditches. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026

Even populous British colonies like Virginia and Pennsylvania grew blurry on their western frontiers, where indistinct borders were protected by a few lonely forts. —Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 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