: a fortified place : stronghold
especially : a large and permanent fortification sometimes including a town

Examples of fortress in a Sentence

the boys built a snow fortress and then challenged the neighborhood kids to an in-your-face snowball fight
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There, visitors can find extensive ruins from the military town, including an amphitheater, aqueduct, fortress gates, and an inn. Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 26 Feb. 2025 This fortress was constructed in 1361 by the Sienese and its many nearby side streets are worth taking the time to get lost in. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025 Indeed, the university is the fortress of freedom and must fulfill its historic role. Brie Stimson, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025 Don’t Miss: Climb the stairs to Doria Castle, a medieval fortress near the village of Vernazza, to see the remains of one of the oldest surviving towers on the Liguria coast. Megan Michelson, Outside Online, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fortress

Word History

Etymology

Middle English forteresse, from Anglo-French fortelesce, forteresse, from Medieval Latin fortalitia, from Latin fortis strong

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fortress was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fortress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortress. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

: a fortified place

More from Merriam-Webster on fortress

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!