fort

noun

ˈfȯrt How to pronounce fort (audio)
Synonyms of fortnext
1
: a strong or fortified place
especially : a fortified place occupied only by troops and surrounded with such works as a ditch, rampart, and parapet : fortification
2
: a permanent army post
—often used in place names
see also:
hold the fort

Synonyms of fort

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Examples of fort in a Sentence

They captured the fort after a long battle. a series of forts along the frontier
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under Spanish rule, able-bodied Malay men, from teenagers to adults, were required to perform 40 days of unpaid annual labor on roads, bridges, churches, forts, piers, plantations, haciendas and mines. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 The spa, in the fort’s ancient temple, blends Ayurveda with Six Senses’ inimitable touch. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026 Just across the sidewalk from the West Martello Tower, a Civil War-era fort where the Garden Club is housed, lies an unkempt field of grass, worn out by dehydration and footsteps. — Oliver Wu, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026 The brand’s modular Kit seat unfolds from a pint-size loveseat into a cushy surface for stretching out or building the next make-believe fort. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fort

Word History

Etymology

Middle English forte, from Anglo-French fort, from fort, adjective, strong, from Latin fortis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fort was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing fort

Rhymes for fort

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Browse Nearby Words

forsythia
fort
Fortaleza
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Cite this Entry

“Fort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fort. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fort

noun
ˈfō(ə)rt How to pronounce fort (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)rt
1
: a strong or fortified place
2
: a permanent army post

More from Merriam-Webster on fort

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fort

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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