# citadel

/ˈsɪtəˌdɛɫ/ (US) · /sˈɪtədˌɛl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/citadel
Updated: 2026-05-04

## Definition

a strong, high building or group of buildings used for protection. You use this word to describe a place that is safe and hard to attack.

For teachers: a fortress situated on high ground, serving as a last line of defence within a city or region.

## Examples

- The soldiers retreated to the citadel.
- During the siege, the royal family took shelter in the ancient citadel overlooking the valley.
- The crumbling citadel stood as a silent witness to centuries of conflict, its stone walls bearing the scars of countless battles.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.