stronghold

noun

strong·​hold ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld How to pronounce stronghold (audio)
1
: a fortified place
2
a
: a place of security or survival
one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic languageGeorge Holmes
b
: a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic
a Republican stronghold
strongholds of snobberyLionel Trilling

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To the members of the White Rose, conscience was a spiritual stronghold – one the state could not breach. Peter Nguyen, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025 Among the eight seats the party PNM lost were its a nearly 40-year stronghold in the area of La Brea, and two in Tobago. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025 Maryland has long been a Democratic stronghold, yet cracks have been growing more visible over the years. Marc Lester, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025 The argument between the two marked the latest phase in a quarter-century-old battle between Texans for Lawsuit Reform and the state’s trial lawyers, one that contributed to Texas’s emergence as a Republican stronghold. Saul Elbein, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stronghold

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stronghold was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

stronghold

noun
strong·​hold ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld How to pronounce stronghold (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on stronghold

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!