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

The trouble began on Yom Kippur, when a Jewish man engaged in prayer on the city’s 37-acre ancient acropolis that Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary, or Haram al-Sharif.

From Time

Ultimately, it was the dispute over who owns the acropolis, and what lies beneath and around it, that led to the ultimate collapse of peace talks and the start of the last Palestinian Intifada, or uprising, in the early 2000s.

From Time

Neolithic humans lived in the caves pocking its slopes, and by around 1400 BCE a fortified palace was built atop the Acropolis.

From The Daily Beast

One temple on the Acropolis bears cuts in its marble where the shields of slain enemies were displayed.

From The Daily Beast

By the end of the fifth century, the Parthenon and two other temples stood on the Acropolis.

From The Daily Beast

But the Acropolis has a long and tumultuous history surrounding the brief ascendance of classical Athens.

From The Daily Beast

The Acropolis Museum opened in Athens last weekend amid controversy that Greek officials did everything possible to stir up.

From The Daily Beast

Respect, however, was paid to the Acropolis; it was not abhorred as the seat of tyranny, but honoured and venerated as a temple.

From Project Gutenberg

When the Persian host sacked the Acropolis they burnt the holy olive, and it seemed that all was over.

From Project Gutenberg

A good picture of the Acropolis at Athens should be shown to keep the buildings distinct; the one in Lefevre's book is excellent.

From Project Gutenberg

Written oracles existed of the prophecies of celebrated seers, and were preserved in the acropolis of Athens.

From Project Gutenberg

The first picture is the Acropolis, under the domination of the Florentines at the end of the fourteenth century.

From Project Gutenberg