noun Uncommon

Kremlin

KREHM-lihn

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Kremlin (noun) means a fortified citadel or central stronghold found at the heart of many old Russian cities. Example: “The city's kremlin dates back to the fourteenth century.”

noun

A fortified citadel or central stronghold found at the heart of many old Russian cities.

"The city's kremlin dates back to the fourteenth century."

"Tourists climbed the walls of the old kremlin overlooking the river."

(capitalized, often "the Kremlin") The Russian or Soviet government, referring to the seat of power in Moscow.

"The Kremlin issued a statement denying the report."

"Analysts tried to predict how the Kremlin would respond to the sanctions."

How to use Kremlin

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the walled fortress-complex at the centre of a Russian city, or (capitalized) the Russian government itself.

Common mistake

Lowercase "kremlin" is the generic fortress; capitalized "the Kremlin" almost always means the government in Moscow, not the building.

Common pairings

the Moscow Kremlin the Kremlin said inside the Kremlin walls

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: kremlins

Test yourself on “Kremlin” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The city's _____ dates back to the fourteenth century.

Etymology

From Russian кремль (kremlʹ), originally meaning a fortress inside a city; the Moscow Kremlin became so famous that the word now doubles as shorthand for the Russian government itself.

Origin: Russian

Rhymes for Kremlin

gremlin

See all rhymes for Kremlin →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Kremlin” mean?

The word “Kremlin” means a fortified citadel or central stronghold found at the heart of many old Russian cities. In plain terms, either the walled fortress-complex at the centre of a Russian city, or (capitalized) the Russian government itself.

How do you pronounce “Kremlin”?

“Kremlin” is pronounced KREHM-lihn (/ˈkɹɛmlɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “Kremlin” in a sentence?

Here is “Kremlin” used in a sentence: “The city's kremlin dates back to the fourteenth century.”

What part of speech is “Kremlin”?

“Kremlin” is a noun.

Where does the word “Kremlin” come from?

The word “Kremlin” comes from Russian. From Russian кремль (kremlʹ), originally meaning a fortress inside a city; the Moscow Kremlin became so famous that the word now doubles as shorthand for the Russian government itself.

Is “Kremlin” a common word?

“Kremlin” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Kremlin” have?

“Kremlin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fortified citadel or central stronghold found at the heart of many old Russian cities.

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