citadel

[ sit-uh-dl, -uh-del ]

noun

1. a fortress that commands a city and is used in the control of the inhabitants and in defense during attack or siege.
2. any strongly fortified place; stronghold.
3. (formerly) a heavily armored structure on a warship, for protecting the engines, magazines, etc.

citadel

/ -ˌdɛl; ˈsɪtədəl /

noun

1. a stronghold within or close to a city
2. any strongly fortified building or place of safety; refuge
3. a specially strengthened part of the hull of a warship
4. often capital the headquarters of the Salvation Army

Word History and Origins

Origin of citadel¹

1580–90; < Middle French citadelle < Old Italian cittadella, equivalent to cittad ( e ) city + -ella -elle

Word History and Origins

Origin of citadel¹

C16: from Old French citadelle, from Old Italian cittadella a little city, from cittade city, from Latin cīvitās

Example Sentences

Ms Robinson said her talk at Salvation Army Citadel in Ipswich had only scratched the surface of her life and she had many adventures.

From BBC

In July, doctors found the tumour was growing again and he was offered a place on the new CITADEL-123 trial at UCLH.

From BBC

For years, he threw himself long and hard against Carson’s legendary citadel of privacy and in 2002 got the first interview after Carson’s earthshaking retirement.

From Los Angeles Times

And discovered his house was built on a medieval citadel.

From BBC

He’ll be back on a plane to London about 48 hours after our conversation, and is looking forward to a break that won’t come until after Christmas, when he finishes shooting the latest season of the Prime series “Citadel.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bastion
• fortification
• fortress