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

Behind the digital fortress of the apps, men have taken to upselling themselves to increase their odds of an in-person date, a development that prospective matches are none too thrilled with. —Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026

The teller’s arm swept around the long-hut, the circular walls of the fortress that enclosed them in its embrace. —Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

An 18th-century fortress perched in the Aravali Hills, surrounded by winding roads and sweeping valley views. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

The main event is staged at the Sacsayhuamán archaeological site, the massive stone fortress on the hills above Cusco, where the ceremony unfolds against a backdrop of original Inca masonry. —Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 June 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