stronghold

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noun strong·hold \ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld\

Definition of stronghold

1 : a fortified place
2a : a place of security or survival one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic language — George Holmesb : a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic a Republican stronghold strongholds of snobbery — Lionel Trilling

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Examples of stronghold in a Sentence

The area is a Republican stronghold.
The rebels retreated to their mountain stronghold.
the last stronghold of the endangered deer

Recent Examples of stronghold from the Web

Warrington is a commuter town and Labour stronghold between Liverpool and Manchester.

— Bloomberg.com, "Your Evening Briefing", 30 May 2017
Tuesday's attack comes as Iraqi troops are slowing pushing IS fighters out of their last strongholds in the northern city of Mosul.

— murtada faraj, chicagotribune.com, "Bomb kills 13, hurts 24 in Baghdad; Islamic State claims responsibility", 29 May 2017
Most eagerly Pryor, the Confederate partisan speaking in a Northern, albeit Democratic stronghold, delivered a full-throated condemnation of Reconstruction.

— david blight, The Atlantic, "The Battle for Memorial Day in New Orleans", 29 May 2017
There are concerns that civilians in the last IS strongholds are prevented from leaving and could be subjected to retaliatory measures by the militant groups.

— sarah el deeb, The Seattle Times, "Syrian army, allied militia gain ground against IS", 27 May 2017
Two strongholds, Narva Castle and the Russian Ivangorod fortress, face each other across the river, according to the Narva city website.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Narva, Estonia mayor and deputy mayor visit sister city of Bel Air", 26 May 2017
Gianforte, a technology entrepreneur, defeated Democrat Rob Quist to continue the GOP's two-decade stronghold on the congressional seat.

— the associated press, The Hollywood Reporter, "Gianforte Apologizes to Reporter After Winning U.S. House Race", 26 May 2017
But many remained skeptical that even Sisi, a former general, could stop Islamic State’s advance from strongholds in the northern Sinai toward the capital.

— omar medhat, latimes.com, "23 killed in attack on bus carrying Coptic Christians in Egypt", 26 May 2017
By then, eastern Aleppo had become a rebel stronghold.

— robert f. worth, New York Times, "Aleppo After the Fall", 24 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stronghold'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of stronghold

15th century

STRONGHOLD Defined for English Language Learners

stronghold

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noun

Definition of stronghold for English Language Learners

: an area where most people have the same beliefs, values, etc. : an area dominated by a particular group
: a protected place where the members of a military group stay and can defend themselves against attacks
: an area where a particular type of uncommon animal can still be found