noun
Common
fort
fawt
Fort (noun) means a strong structure built to defend a place, usually staffed with troops. Example: “The soldiers were stationed at a fort near the border.”
noun
1
A strong structure built to defend a place, usually staffed with troops.
"The soldiers were stationed at a fort near the border."
"Tourists visit the old colonial fort every summer."
"Children love exploring the thick stone walls and old cannons of the hillside fort."
2
A simple structure built from furniture, blankets, or boxes as part of a game.
"The kids built a fort out of couch cushions in the living room."
"We spent the rainy afternoon making a fort under the dining table with bedsheets."
"My little brother wouldn't let anyone into his fort made of cardboard boxes."
How to use fort
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA defensive military structure, or — more playfully — a den built by children out of whatever is lying around.
Common pairings
army fort
build a fort
hold the fort
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Word forms
- Plural
- forts
- Third person singular
- forts
- Past tense
- forted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soldiers were stationed at a _____ near the border.
Etymology
From Old French fort, "strong," from Latin fortis. It shares this root with "forte" and "fortify."
Related words
Rhymes for fort
See all rhymes for fort →Frequently asked questions
What does “fort” mean?
The word “fort” means a strong structure built to defend a place, usually staffed with troops. In plain terms, a defensive military structure, or — more playfully — a den built by children out of whatever is lying around.
How do you pronounce “fort”?
“Fort” is pronounced fawt (/fɔɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “fort” in a sentence?
Here is “fort” used in a sentence: “The soldiers were stationed at a fort near the border.”
What part of speech is “fort”?
“Fort” is a noun.
Where does the word “fort” come from?
The word “fort” comes from Latin. From Old French fort, "strong," from Latin fortis. It shares this root with "forte" and "fortify.".
Is “fort” a common word?
“Fort” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fort” have?
“Fort” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong structure built to defend a place, usually staffed with troops.
What is the difference between a fort and a castle?
A fort is a purely military structure built to defend a location and house troops. A castle is a fortified building that also served as the residence of a lord or monarch, combining defense with a home. Forts are about warfare; castles mix warfare with noble living.
What is the difference between a fort and a fortress?
The two overlap, but a fortress is generally larger, stronger, and more permanent, often protecting a whole town or key position. A fort tends to be smaller and more focused, guarding a single point. Every fortress is a kind of fort, but not every fort counts as a fortress.
What are forts used for?
Forts are built to defend a place and to give stationed troops a strong, protected base. From behind their walls, soldiers can guard borders, harbors, roads, or towns and hold out against attack. Historically they also stored weapons and supplies and served as centers of military control.
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