Word
stronghold
Phoneticsstrong·hold, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɹɔŋˌhoʊɫd/
UK/stɹˈɒŋhəʊld/
Definitions
01a fortress
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a building or place that is built to be very strong so that it can be defended against an enemy.
n. a fortified location or structure designed to withstand military attack or siege.
“The ancient stronghold stood on top of the hill, overlooking the valley below.”
“The rebels retreated to their mountain stronghold, a natural fortress that had proven impenetrable to heavy artillery for decades.”
02a place of strong support
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a place where a particular group of people or a specific set of ideas is very popular and powerful.
n. a geographic area or social sphere where a particular belief, political party, or group remains dominant or influential.
“This city has always been a stronghold for the Green Party.”
“Despite the national shift in public opinion, the rural province remained a traditionalist stronghold where old customs were fiercely preserved.”
Real-World Examples
“The result was all the more shocking as Mecklenburg was once a CDU stronghold.” “It has long been a Republican stronghold and many voters there say they still plan to support the Republican Party, despite concerns about the economy and promises of no more wars.” Etymology
From Middle English stranghalde, strong-hold, strong-holde, from strong (“having physical strength, sturdy, strong; built to withstand assaults, fortified”) (from Old English strang, strong (“strong”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *strengʰ- (“stiff, tight”)) + hōld (“grasp, grip; control, possession, rule”) (from Old English). By surface analysis, strong + hold.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
PHRASAL VERB
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/stronghold