castle

¹

[ kas-uhl, kah-suhl ]

noun

1. a fortified, usually walled residence, as of a prince or noble in feudal times.

   Synonyms: citadel, fortress

2. the chief and strongest part of the fortifications of a medieval city.
3. a strongly fortified, permanently garrisoned stronghold.
4. a large and stately residence, especially one, with high walls and towers, that imitates the form of a medieval castle.

   Synonyms: château, palace

5. any place providing security and privacy:

   It may be small, but my home is my castle.

6. Chess. the rook.

verb (used with object)

, cas·tled, cas·tling.

1. to place or enclose in or as in a castle.
2. Chess. to move (the king) in castling.

verb (used without object)

, Chess.

, cas·tled, cas·tling.

1. to move the king two squares horizontally and bring the appropriate rook to the square the king has passed over.
2. (of the king) to be moved in this manner.

Castle

²

[ kas-uhl, kah-suhl ]

noun

1. Irene (Foote), 1893–1969, born in the U.S., and her husband and partner Vernon ( Vernon Castle Blythe ), 1887–1918, born in England, U.S. ballroom dancers.

castle

/ ˈkɑːsəl /

noun

1. a fortified building or set of buildings, usually permanently garrisoned, as in medieval Europe
2. any fortified place or structure
3. a large magnificent house, esp when the present or former home of a nobleman or prince
4. the citadel and strongest part of the fortifications of a medieval town
5. chess another name for rook 2

verb

1. chess to move (the king) two squares laterally on the first rank and place the nearest rook on the square passed over by the king, either towards the king's side ( castling short ) or the queen's side ( castling long )

Other Words From

• castle·like adjective
• un·castled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of castle¹

before 1000; Middle English, Old English castel < Latin castellum castellum

Word History and Origins

Origin of castle¹

C11: from Latin castellum, diminutive of castrum fort

Example Sentences

They are made of the same stuff as a bouncy castle.

From BBC

The widow, from Alston in Cumbria, originally visited the medieval castle with her late-husband Jock, and the pair would enjoy overnight stays.

From BBC

They both also leave him open to accusations of hypocrisy - the wealthy prince, with the comfort of privilege, from his palaces and castles telling us how to make the world a better place.

From BBC

Ceremonies at the Queen's Building - a few hundred metres from the main Royal castle - could host up to 277 guests, feature live performances and music and serve alcohol up to 00:30.

From BBC

A massive gate in that interior wall looks like something out of a medieval castle — all that’s missing is a moat and guards.

From Los Angeles Times