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

Before reaching Egypt, totality will sweep across the Mediterranean and North Africa, passing over an extraordinary collection of Roman cities, fortresses, theaters, temples and triumphal arches. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Nov. 2026

If time allows, make a detour to the Sculpture Park at Jaigarh Fort, where installations are set against the backdrop of a 900-year-old fortress. — Shalbha Sarda, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2026

Tesla touted the car as a rolling fortress that could tow 14,000 pounds and withstand hits from sledgehammers and even firearms. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Business-wise, these pioneers were buoyed by the sluggish response to the internet by legacy newspapers and magazines, whose fortress mentality only accelerated their disruption. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Nov. 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