[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/fortress/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [F](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/f/) / fortress

# fortress

noun (fortress, fortresses)

«fortress» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A fortress is a large, strong building or town with thick walls, built to protect people from attack. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#m1)
2. A fortress is any place that is very safe and hard to get into. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#m2)

### In the lessons

In history lessons, fortresses include castles, walled towns and forts used in wars. In stories, a fortress is often the home of a king or a villain. In everyday talk, «a fortress» can describe a well-guarded house or a strong defence in sport. Common phrases: «an ancient fortress», «mountain fortress», «impregnable fortress», «turn into a fortress».

### Examples

- The soldiers hid inside the stone fortress. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#x1)
- The fortress stood on a hill above the river. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#x2)
- Edinburgh Castle was once a mighty fortress. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#x3)
- We built a pillow fortress in the living room. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#x4)
- The dragon guarded the gate of the dark fortress. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#x5)
- Their defence was like a fortress — no goals all season. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#x6)
- The fortress walls were three metres thick. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#x7)
- Shiyu by using his magic art quickly passed over with his army and shut himself up in a fortress on the opposite bank. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/#x8)

### Note

Plural: fortresses. Related words: «fort» (usually smaller), «fortify» (make stronger), «fortification». A fortress is a kind of building, not a weapon.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Psalms and Prophets it is often a picture of God as a safe, strong refuge, as well as a real walled place.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads "the LORD is my fortress" as trust in God over armies and walls.

### Examples

- and he said: The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; (Prophets 2SA.22.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fortress/#x1)
- The God who is my strong fortress, and who letteth my way go forth straight; (Prophets 2SA.22.33, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fortress/#x2)
- That causeth destruction to flash upon the strong, so that destruction cometh upon the fortress. (Prophets AMO.5.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fortress/#x3)

### Note

Plural: fortresses. Related words: «fort» (usually smaller), «fortify» (make stronger), «fortification». A fortress is a kind of building, not a weapon.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «fortress» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/fortress/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fortress» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/fortress.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «fortress» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/fortress/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«fortress» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/fortress.html) on Mova free.