fortress

noun

for·​tress ˈfȯr-trəs 

: a fortified place : stronghold

especially : a large and permanent fortification sometimes including a town

fortresslike

ˈfȯr-trəs-līk 

adjective

Synonyms of fortress

• stronghold
• citadel
• fortification
• castle
• bastion
• fort

Examples of fortress in a Sentence

the boys built a snow fortress and then challenged the neighborhood kids to an in-your-face snowball fight

Recent Examples on the Web

Another brick has been laid in One Battle After Another’s impenetrable fortress this awards season. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

Before the Moors built the fortress in the mid-11th century, the Visigoths settled here. —Alia Akkam, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026

The effect brings to mind a fortress of serenity crafted by the pirates and explorers who landed here centuries ago and vowed never to leave. —Gemma Price, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026

From fortress to functionality The new headquarters marks a significant square-foot reduction for the automaker’s corporate office — from a towering complex called the Renaissance Center along the city’s riverfront to just four floors, roughly 200,000 square feet, in the new building. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English forteresse, from Anglo-French fortelesce, forteresse, from Medieval Latin fortalitia, from Latin fortis strong

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fortress

noun

for·​tress ˈfȯr-trəs 

: a fortified place