citadel

noun

cit·​a·​del ˈsi-tə-dᵊl How to pronounce citadel (audio)
-ˌdel
1
: a fortress that commands (see command entry 1 sense 2c) a city
2
: stronghold
the nation's citadel of health researchConstance Holden
a citadel of higher education

Examples of citadel in a Sentence

We visited a medieval citadel in Italy. a massive stone citadel continues to command the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia
Recent Examples on the Web Machu Picchu is one of those rare bucket list travel destinations that truly exceeded my expectations; the 15th-century Inca citadel is well-maintained and properly regulated by the Peruvian government to ensure travelers have an incredible experience. Kaitlyn McInnis, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2024 Even after three years, law enforcement and federal judges are feeling the reverberations of what has become the largest criminal investigation in American history, and the public is still wrestling with how the assault on the citadel of U.S. democracy will define the country’s laws and politics. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2024 At Vicksburg, Major General Ulysses S. Grant forced the surrender of the citadel—the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River—isolating Confederate resources in Arkansas, Texas and parts of Louisiana while providing the U.S. Army control of the Mississippi River. Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023 From Paris to Bucharest and from Palermo to Copenhagen, people marched on the citadels of authority and demanded a greater say in their government. Lynn Hunt, The New York Review of Books, 14 Sep. 2023 Those interested can also add an optional climb to Huayna Picchu, or Machu Picchu Mountain, after touring the ancient citadel. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2023 Steeped in orchids, ancient ruins, and Pisco sours, Peru (and its Incan citadel in the Andes, Machu Picchu) is a destination for the most adventurous traveler. Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2023 Our beloved Midwest citadels aren't exactly from the times of kings and queens, but someone put them there for a reason. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 30 July 2023 The 17th-century Delhi citadel known as the Red Fort, commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Anna Mundow, WSJ, 21 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'citadel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French citadelle, from Old Italian cittadella, diminutive of cittade city, from Medieval Latin civitat-, civitas — more at city

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of citadel was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near citadel

Cite this Entry

“Citadel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citadel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

citadel

noun
cit·​a·​del ˈsit-əd-ᵊl How to pronounce citadel (audio)
-ə-ˌdel
1
: a fortress that sits high above a city
2
: a strong fortress

More from Merriam-Webster on citadel

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