noun
Uncommon
citadel
SIH-tuh-duhl
Citadel (noun) means a fortress, often built on high ground, that protects or overlooks a city. Example: “The citadel had guarded the city for over five centuries.”
noun
1
A fortress, often built on high ground, that protects or overlooks a city.
"The citadel had guarded the city for over five centuries."
2
Any stronghold or heavily protected place, used figuratively.
"The bank's headquarters was a citadel of old money and tradition."
How to use citadel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fortress defending a city, or figuratively anything seen as a stronghold.
Common pairings
ancient citadel
citadel of power
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Word forms
- Plural
- citadels
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ had guarded the city for over five centuries.
Etymology
From French citadelle, from Italian cittadella, a diminutive of città ("city"), from Latin civitas.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for citadel
See all rhymes for citadel →Frequently asked questions
What does “citadel” mean?
The word “citadel” means a fortress, often built on high ground, that protects or overlooks a city. In plain terms, a fortress defending a city, or figuratively anything seen as a stronghold.
How do you pronounce “citadel”?
“Citadel” is pronounced SIH-tuh-duhl (/ˈsɪtədəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “citadel” in a sentence?
Here is “citadel” used in a sentence: “The citadel had guarded the city for over five centuries.”
What is another word for “citadel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “citadel” include fortress, bastion, stronghold and bulwark.
What part of speech is “citadel”?
“Citadel” is a noun.
Where does the word “citadel” come from?
The word “citadel” comes from Latin. From French citadelle, from Italian cittadella, a diminutive of città ("city"), from Latin civitas.
Is “citadel” a common word?
“Citadel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “citadel” have?
“Citadel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fortress, often built on high ground, that protects or overlooks a city.
