# stronghold

/ˈstɹɔŋˌhoʊɫd/ (US) · /stɹˈɒŋhəʊld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stronghold
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a fortress

noun · CEFR B2

a building or place that is built to be very strong so that it can be defended against an enemy.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a place of strong support

noun · CEFR B2

a place where a particular group of people or a specific set of ideas is very popular and powerful.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The castle was a powerful stronghold during the war.
- The northern province remains a political stronghold for the opposition party, which has won every election there for twenty years.
- While the coastal cities embraced the new cultural trends, the rural interior remained a stronghold of traditional values and ancestral customs.

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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.