Word
bastion
Phoneticsbas·tion, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbæstʃən/
UK/bˈæstiən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a strong place that protects something important, like a belief or a tradition. You use it to describe something that stands firm against change or attack.
n. a stronghold or defensive position; figuratively, a person or institution that vigorously defends a particular principle or tradition.
Examples
“The library is a bastion of local history.”
“The university remains a bastion of academic freedom despite recent political pressure.”
“In an era of rapid digital transformation, the old publishing house stood as a bastion of traditional literary values.”
Examples
simple
“The library is a bastion of local history.”
contextual
“The university remains a bastion of academic freedom despite recent political pressure.”
complex
“In an era of rapid digital transformation, the old publishing house stood as a bastion of traditional literary values.”
Real-World Examples
“Season one of this feelgood and impeccably performed US Office-universe comedy saw ambitious editor Ned (Domhnall Gleeson again) take the Toledo Truth Teller from depressing clickbait factory to award-winning bastion of actual journalism.” Etymology
First attested in 1562. From French bastion, from Old French bastille (“fortress”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/bastion