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noun

stronghold

STRONG-hohld
noun
1
A fortified place built to resist attack.
"The castle served as a stronghold against invading forces for centuries."
2
A place or area where a particular group, idea, or belief is dominant.
"The region remains a stronghold of the opposition party."

How to Use Stronghold

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA fortress, or figuratively, an area where a group or idea dominates.

Common pairings
rebel stronghold political stronghold

Word Forms

strongholds plural

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The castle served as a _____ against invading forces for centuries.

Etymology

From Middle English strong-hold, a compound of strong and hold ("grip, control") — literally "a place held strongly."

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial