stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld 
1
: a fortified place
2
a
: a place of security or survival
… one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic language …—
George Holmes
George Holmes
b
: a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic
a Republican/Democratic stronghold
strongholds of snobbery—Lionel Trilling
Lionel TrillingExamples of stronghold in a Sentence
The area is a Republican stronghold.
The rebels retreated to their mountain stronghold.
the last stronghold of the endangered deer
Recent Examples on the Web
Bunratty Castle Bunratty Castle is the last remaining stronghold on this site, which began as a Viking trading camp in 970.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026
Democrats have not won the governor’s office in Georgia since 2002, though the state has evolved from a Republican stronghold to a fiercely competitive battleground over the past decade.
—Nik Popli, Time, 20 May 2026
Clark entered Election Day as one of the race's frontrunners, framing herself as a longtime liberal fighter in the House and her campaign as an opportunity for a new generation of leadership in a district that has become a political stronghold for Black Democrats in Georgia.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Israel has devastated Gaza in its campaign against Hamas and, in recent weeks, has targeted Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
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Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026
Democrats have not won the governor’s office in Georgia since 2002, though the state has evolved from a Republican stronghold to a fiercely competitive battleground over the past decade.
—Nik Popli, Time, 20 May 2026
Clark entered Election Day as one of the race's frontrunners, framing herself as a longtime liberal fighter in the House and her campaign as an opportunity for a new generation of leadership in a district that has become a political stronghold for Black Democrats in Georgia.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Israel has devastated Gaza in its campaign against Hamas and, in recent weeks, has targeted Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.
—Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
Cite this Entry
“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld
: fortress
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