fortress Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a fortified defensive structure
    fort.

WordNet

For"tress noun
Etymology
F. forteresse, OF. forteresce, fortelesce, LL. foralitia, fr. L. fortis strong. See Fort, and cf. Fortalice.
Wordforms
plural Fortresses
Definitions
  1. A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; a fort; a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security. Syn. -- Fortress, Fortification, Castle, Citadel. A fortress is constructed for military purposes only, and is permanently garrisoned; a fortification is built to defend harbors, cities, etc.; a castle is a fortress of early times which was ordinarily a palatial dwelling; a citadel is the stronghold of a fortress or city, etc.
For"tress transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard; to fortify. Shak.

Webster 1913