fortress

noun

for·​tress ˈfȯr-trəs How to pronounce fortress (audio)
: a fortified place : stronghold
especially : a large and permanent fortification sometimes including a town
fortresslike adjective

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
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.
It was built as a fortress for weapons in the early 20th century. Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 13 July 2025 DeSantis and other state officials say locating the facility in the rugged and remote Florida Everglades is meant as a deterrent -- and naming it after the notorious federal prison of Alcatraz, an island fortress known for its brutal conditions, is meant to send a message. arkansasonline.com, 4 July 2025 This nation was never meant to be a fortress of exclusion, but a sanctuary of inclusion. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 4 July 2025 The medieval Bodrum Castle has stood rock-solid on a promontory for over 600 years and is one of the last fortresses built in Turkey by the Crusaders. Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortress

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fortress was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fortress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortress. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fortress

noun
for·​tress ˈfȯr-trəs How to pronounce fortress (audio)
: a fortified place

More from Merriam-Webster on fortress

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