fort

noun

ˈfȯrt 

1

: a strong or fortified place

especially : a fortified place occupied only by troops and surrounded with such works as a ditch, rampart, and parapet : fortification

2

: a permanent army post

—often used in place names

Synonyms of fort

• fortress
• stronghold
• fortification
• citadel
• castle
• bastion

Examples of fort in a Sentence

They captured the fort after a long battle.

a series of forts along the frontier

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s also located inside a historic fort that once defended the coast. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2026

History lovers can explore Fort Frederica National Monument, a former fort built in 1736 to protect Georgia’s southern frontier. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026

Nikola Vučević is out for the next three to four weeks after finger surgery, but Neemias Queta can more than hold the fort down — especially with Tatum back in the mix. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026

Greenwood, Tzur, and the Rajasthan Express recorded Junjun in a 15th-century Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur, India. —Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English forte, from Anglo-French fort, from fort, adjective, strong, from Latin fortis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fort

• hold down the fort
• hold the fort

Rhymes for fort

• bort
• corte
• court
• dort
• mort
• norte
• ort
• port
• porte
• quart
• short
• snort

Kids Definition

fort

noun

ˈfō(ə)rt 

ˈfȯ(ə)rt

1

: a strong or fortified place

2

: a permanent army post