acropolis

[ uh-krop-uh-lis ]

noun

1. the citadel or high fortified area of an ancient Greek city.
2. the Acropolis, the citadel of Athens and the site of the Parthenon.

Acropolis

¹

/ əˈkrɒpəlɪs /

noun

1. the citadel of Athens on which the Parthenon and the Erechtheum stand

acropolis

²

/ əˈkrɒpəlɪs /

noun

1. the citadel of an ancient Greek city

Acropolis

1. The fortified high point of ancient Athens (see also Athens ). Once the center of Athenian life, the Acropolis is now the site of famous ruins, including the Parthenon . In Greek, the word means “high” ( acro ) “city” ( polis ).

Other Words From

• ac·ro·pol·i·tan [ak-r, uh, -, pol, -i-tn], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acropolis¹

From the Greek word akrópolis, dating back to 1655–65. See acro-, -polis

Word History and Origins

Origin of acropolis¹

C17: from Greek, from acro- + polis city

Example Sentences

In the southeast of the island, the small fishing village of Lindos attracts tourists with its hilltop medieval fortress and ancient acropolis.

From Reuters

Volunteers fought to extinguish a blaze that blackened the hillside and charred buildings near Lindos, one of the island's most-visited sites and famed for an acropolis perched on a massive rock within medieval walls.

From Reuters

It eased access to the campus by retaining existing streets, in contrast to the introverted main campus, designed in the late 19th century as a walled acropolis atop Morningside Heights.

From New York Times

Harrison’s Cold War vision involved an acropolis of the performing arts, which, to Moses, Rockefeller and their social circles, meant western classical music, musical theater, opera and ballet.

From New York Times

Directly ahead were the remains of a complex of platforms that had formed the acropolis.

From New York Times