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

• 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

The fantastic architecture includes Etruscan walls, the Gothic Palazzo dei Priori, and Rocca Paolina, a Renaissance fortress. —John Skelton, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2025

Directed by Oscar winner Bille August, The Count of Monte Cristo stars Claflin as Edmond Dantès, a young sailor who was falsely accused of treason and is imprisoned without trial in the Château d’If, a grim island fortress off Marseille, France. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025

However, once a paranoid hermit nation of Europe, after 1992 Albania began to emerge from its fortress mindset. —Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025

However, the duo — who will be joined by German drummer Anika Nilles to replace Neil Peart behind his fortress of a kit — are aware of the corrupt industry of people trying to price out fans with inflated ticket costs. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025

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