Word
fortress
US/ˈfɔɹtɹəs/
UK/fˈɔːtɹəs/
Definitions
01a fortified building
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a strong building or town with thick walls, built to defend against enemies.
n. a large, permanent fortification or stronghold, often encompassing a town or strategic position, designed for defense.
“The ancient fortress stood on top of the hill, overlooking the entire valley.”
“The medieval fortress featured concentric walls and a deep moat, making it virtually impregnable to the siege engines of the era.”
Synonyms
02a safe or protected place
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a place or situation that is very safe and hard for outsiders to enter.
n. a person, place, or institution that is highly protected or resistant to outside influence or attack.
“The remote island became a fortress for the family during the war.”
“The company's headquarters was a digital fortress, protected by layers of encryption and the most advanced security protocols available.”
03to protect with walls
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
v. to build walls or defenses around a place to make it safe.
v. to furnish a location with fortresses or defensive works; to strengthen a position against attack.
“The king decided to fortress the border towns against the coming invasion.”
“The general sought to fortress the mountain pass, knowing that holding that single point would determine the outcome of the entire campaign.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“But Kyiv has so far stymied Russian efforts to encircle Ukrainian “fortress belt” cities.” “The Russian army already controls almost all of Luhansk region, and is now in control of almost 80% of Donetsk region too, where all three fortress cities lie.” “Romans navigated the Po from Adria (the town that gave the sea its name) to their fortress in Turin.” Etymology
Early 14 c., from Old French forteresce, forteresse, forterece (“strong place, fortification”), variant of fortelesse, from Medieval Latin fortalitia, from Latin fortis (“strong”) (see fort) + -itia, added to adjectives to form nouns of quality or condition. French -ess, from Latin -itia is also in words such as duress, prowess, largesse and richesse. For change of medial -l- to -r- in Old French, compare orne (“elm”) from ulmus; chartre from cartula and chapitre from capitulum. First attested in the 12th century.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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