Kremlin

[ krem-lin ]
/ ˈkrɛm lɪn /

noun

the Kremlin,
  1. the executive branch of the government of Russia or of the Soviet Union, especially in regard to its foreign affairs.
  2. the citadel of Moscow, including within its walls the chief offices of the Russian and, formerly, of the Soviet government.

Origin of Kremlin

1655–65; earlier Kremelien < German (now obsolete) < an unattestested outcome of Old Russian *kremlĭnĭ, derivative of kremlĭ (Russian kremlʾ, gen kremlyá) citadel, akin to Old Russian Kromŭ the citadel of Pskov, Ukrainian króma partition, Russian kromá, krómka edge, border

Example sentences from the Web for kremlin

British Dictionary definitions for kremlin (1 of 2)

kremlin
/ (ˈkrɛmlɪn) /

noun

the citadel of any Russian city

Word Origin for kremlin

C17: from obsolete German Kremelin, from Russian kreml

British Dictionary definitions for kremlin (2 of 2)

Kremlin
/ (ˈkrɛmlɪn) /

noun

the 12th-century citadel in Moscow, containing the former Imperial Palace, three Cathedrals, and the offices of the Russian government
(formerly) the central government of the Soviet Union

Cultural definitions for kremlin

Kremlin

A fortress in central Moscow that contains the central offices of the government of Russia and, formerly, the offices of the Soviet Union.

notes for Kremlin

The term Kremlin was also used figuratively to mean the former Soviet government.