# fortress

/ˈfɔɹtɹəs/ (US) · /fˈɔːtɹəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fortress
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. a safe place

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a place or situation where you feel safe and protected from outside influence.

For teachers: a metaphorical place of security or isolation that is difficult for outsiders to enter or influence.

- The remote island became a fortress of solitude for the tired writer.
- The billionaire's estate was a digital and physical fortress, designed to ensure absolute privacy from the prying eyes of the media.

### 3. chess defense

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a position in a game like chess that is impossible for the opponent to break through.

For teachers: an endgame drawing technique where the side with a material disadvantage sets up a defensive perimeter that the opponent cannot penetrate.

- Even though he had fewer pieces, he managed to build a fortress and get a draw.
- The grandmaster demonstrated how to establish a fortress in the corner, effectively nullifying the opponent's extra bishop and securing half a point.

### 4. to protect with forts

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to build walls or strong buildings around a place to protect it.

For teachers: to furnish a location with fortresses or defensive works. This transitive use is less common than the noun form.

- The king decided to fortress the border to stop the coming invasion.
- The ancient engineers sought to fortress the mountain pass, erecting stone ramparts that would endure for centuries.

## Examples

- The soldiers guarded the entrance to the fortress.
- The ancient fortress sits high on a hill, giving the defenders a clear view of any approaching enemies.
- While the castle served as a royal residence, the outer fortress was designed purely for defense, featuring thick stone ramparts and narrow slits for archers.

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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.