stronghold

[ strawng-hohld, strong- ]

noun

1. a well-fortified place; fortress.

   Synonyms: bastion, bulwark

2. a place that serves as the center of a group, as of militants or of persons holding hold holding a controversial viewpoint:

   The campus was a stronghold of liberalism.

   Synonyms: refuge, home, bastion, bulwark

stronghold

/ ˈstrɒŋˌhəʊld /

noun

1. a defensible place; fortress
2. a major centre or area of predominance

Word History and Origins

Origin of stronghold¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; strong, hold ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of stronghold¹

C15: from strong + hold ¹(in the archaic sense: a fortified place)

Example Sentences

Energy-rich Saudi Arabia is slowly strengthening its stronghold of boxing and paying fighters – some with lesser profiles than Taylor or Serrano – handsomely.

From BBC

He says offers have been flooding in from talent across the state, which has served as a “stronghold of resistance for smart conservative thinkers who love our country and desire to play a role in making it more reflective of our electorate”.

From BBC

Early on election day in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, a Republican stronghold, there were problems with voting machines malfunctioning.

From BBC

Arizona was, for a time, a Republican stronghold.

From BBC

On a recent episode of "The View," cohosts Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin had a brief but tense exchange of differing opinions as to why Tuesday's election saw such a sweep for Donald Trump when it came to Latino voters in Texas — a demographic that Democrats have historically had a stronghold on.

From Salon

Related Words

• bastion
• fortress
• garrison
• redoubt