Word
fortification
Phoneticsfor·ti·fi·ca·tion, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌfɔɹtəfəˈkeɪʃən/
UK/fˌɔːtɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/
Definition
n. a strong building or wall built to protect a place from enemies. It can also mean the act of making a place stronger to defend it.
n. a structure or system of structures designed to protect a location from attack; the act of reinforcing a position with defensive works.
Examples
“The city built a new fortification to keep out the invaders.”
“Historians studied the medieval fortification to understand how the castle withstood the siege for three months.”
“The strategic placement of the fortification allowed the defenders to control the narrow mountain pass and prevent any large-scale movement of enemy troops.”
Examples
simple
“The city built a new fortification to keep out the invaders.”
contextual
“Historians studied the medieval fortification to understand how the castle withstood the siege for three months.”
complex
“The strategic placement of the fortification allowed the defenders to control the narrow mountain pass and prevent any large-scale movement of enemy troops.”
Real-World Examples
“Trebuchets and other siege engines (we will, under no circumstances, be delving into the distinctions between the different types of catapults ) were meant to take out walls and other fortifications.” “The site was particularly compelling because it contained an undisturbed trench, a part of Fort Mercer’s fortifications.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French fortification, from Late Latin fortificatio, fortificationem, from fortifico, from Latin fortis. By surface analysis, fort + -ification.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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