noun
Common
fortress
FAW-truhs
Fortress (noun) means a large, heavily defended building or town built to withstand attack. Example: “Soldiers once guarded the stone fortress that overlooks the river valley.”
noun
1
A large, heavily defended building or town built to withstand attack.
"Soldiers once guarded the stone fortress that overlooks the river valley."
"The medieval fortress still stands on the hilltop."
"The castle served as a fortress against invaders for centuries."
How to use fortress
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large, heavily fortified stronghold built for defense.
Common pairings
impenetrable fortress
ancient fortress
fortress walls
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Word forms
- Plural
- fortresses
- Third person singular
- fortresses
- Past tense
- fortressed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Soldiers once guarded the stone _____ that overlooks the river valley.
Etymology
From Old French forteresce, "strong place," from Latin fortis, "strong."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “fortress” mean?
The word “fortress” means a large, heavily defended building or town built to withstand attack. In plain terms, a large, heavily fortified stronghold built for defense.
How do you pronounce “fortress”?
“Fortress” is pronounced FAW-truhs (/ˈfoɹ.tɹɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “fortress” in a sentence?
Here is “fortress” used in a sentence: “The medieval fortress still stands on the hilltop.”
What is another word for “fortress”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fortress” include bastion, bulwark, citadel and stronghold.
What part of speech is “fortress”?
“Fortress” is a noun.
Where does the word “fortress” come from?
The word “fortress” comes from Latin. From Old French forteresce, "strong place," from Latin fortis, "strong.".
Is “fortress” a common word?
“Fortress” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a fortress and a castle?
A fortress is any large, heavily defended building or town built to withstand attack, with its primary purpose being military defense. A castle is a specific type of fortified structure that traditionally also served as a residence for a monarch or noble, combining defense with living quarters.
What is the difference between a fortress and a citadel?
A fortress refers broadly to any heavily defended structure or fortified town built to withstand attack. A citadel is more specific, typically referring to a fortress that protects or overlooks a city, often built on higher ground within or beside it.
Can fortress be used figuratively?
Yes. Fortress is often used figuratively to describe something that is well-protected or hard to penetrate, such as calling a heavily guarded home or a strong defensive sports team a fortress.
