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

For them, local self-government has become a fortress, and the drawbridge is up. —JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025

In addition to the fortress itself, a number of artifacts were also unearthed, including pottery shards adorned with bright colors. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

The Nachems also got to work turning their home into a germ-free fortress, rehoming their pets, never opening the windows and opening the doors to outside as sparingly as possible. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025

Despite being one of the most exclusive (and most expensive) hotels in the city, it’s often booked to capacity—and with its fortress-like air of privacy, hosting some of the starriest names passing through La Serenissima. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 13 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