stronghold

[ strawng-hohld, strong- ]
/ ˈstrɔŋˌhoʊld, ˈstrɒŋ- /

noun

a well-fortified place; fortress.
a place that serves as the center of a group, as of militants or of persons holding a controversial viewpoint: The campus was a stronghold of liberalism.

Origin of stronghold

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at strong, hold1

Example sentences from the Web for stronghold

British Dictionary definitions for stronghold

stronghold
/ (ˈstrɒŋˌhəʊld) /

noun

a defensible place; fortress
a major centre or area of predominance

Word Origin for stronghold

C15: from strong + hold 1 (in the archaic sense: a fortified place)