stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld 
1
: a fortified place
2
a
: a place of security or survival
one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic language—
George Holmes
George Holmes
b
: a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic
a Republican stronghold
strongholds of snobbery—Lionel Trilling
Lionel TrillingExamples 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
What followed D-Day? Despite securing a stronghold on the French coast on D-Day, the Allied forces faced the risk that German bombardment could push them back into the sea.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
And in an opposition stronghold, some ignored the boycott calls, saying that voting is their civic duty, while others saw the election as a chance to keep their local government under opposition control.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
In a state controlled by Democrats, Toms River and the surrounding county are conservative strongholds.
—Tracey Tully, New York Times, 21 May 2025
President Donald Trump is more popular in New Jersey—a Democratic stronghold that shifted toward Republicans in last year's election—than President Joe Biden was in springtime of last year, according to a new poll.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
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Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
And in an opposition stronghold, some ignored the boycott calls, saying that voting is their civic duty, while others saw the election as a chance to keep their local government under opposition control.
—Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
In a state controlled by Democrats, Toms River and the surrounding county are conservative strongholds.
—Tracey Tully, New York Times, 21 May 2025
President Donald Trump is more popular in New Jersey—a Democratic stronghold that shifted toward Republicans in last year's election—than President Joe Biden was in springtime of last year, according to a new poll.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
Cite this Entry
“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld
: fortress
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